“Power football,” that’s how Bruce Trojans’ new head football coach Ken Chandler described his philosophy.
“I like to run the football. Power football, that’s my preference,” Chandler said. “I prefer a gap control defense that’s very aggressive against the run.”
Chandler noted your personnel does, however, dictate what you can do, but his preference will always be to run the ball.
Chandler will begin spring practice with the Trojans on April 25.
“I’m looking forward to it. I’ve already been very impressed with the kids. The staff has been great. Everyone’s been very supportive,” he said.
Chandler said he’s gotten a few students who weren’t playing last year to join the team and is hoping for a few more.
“The strength program here is great,” Chandler said. “Coach Ray, Coach Graham, Coach Marks and Coach Maddox have done a great job with the strength program and you can see it in these kids.”
Since being hired as successor to James Ray, who will take over as defensive coordinator at George County next season, Chandler has been commuting from Winona a few days a week to work with the Bruce players and get prepared for spring practice.
Chandler, 50, coached the last two seasons at Winona Christian and the 12 prior at Winona High School. He said he made the move to the private school in anticipation of retiring from public schools while continuing to coach.
“The opportunity here at Bruce was something I didn’t think I could pass up,” Chandler said. “There’s great tradition here. It’s the size school I like and I really love this area.”
Chandler is a native of Weir where he graduated high school in 1983. After graduating, he worked for the forestry service for a while and also served in the National Guard where he did a tour in Desert Storm in Iraq. But football never left him, and after working with his mentor Joe Lynn Gant as a volunteer assistant at Weir, he knew football coaching was what he wanted to do .
Upon graduating from Mississippi State, Chandler’s first official coaching position was as offensive line coach at West Point in 1993.
He joined the Ackerman staff in 1994 and remained with the Indians until 1998. He was hired in 1999 by Purvis for his first head coaching job. He remained there for three years before accepting the Winona job.
“I really enjoy this area in North Mississippi,” Chandler said. “I’m familiar with all these schools and know all of the coaches. It’s just a really good area.”
Chandler is still finalizing his football staff for next year. Asst. Coach Bryan Maddox is the lone definitive at this time who will be on the staff for next year.
Chandler said he is in the process of moving to Bruce, having acquired a trailer from Jim Aron out Hwy. 32.
“It’s small, but I’m by myself right now so it’s really all I need,” he said.
Chandler’s wife teaches in Winona and is in nursing school at night, so she will remain there for the time being. They have an adult son and a daughter who will begin college next year.