By By PETER WILLIAMS, Staff Writer
The clock was ticking for David Hines from the moment he walked onto the football field at Southside High School.
Hines was named head coach Monday night, but Tuesday was the first day he could work with the team, a day after every other football coach in the region. But even after just one practice, his first impressions were positive.
The Seahawks may need that because their season opener is set for Aug. 24 at Rosewood.
Hines replaces DeWayne Kellum, who resigned the post in early July, just weeks before practice was set to start.
Southside will be the first head football coaching job for Hines. He is coming from Class 4-A Douglas Byrd High School in Fayetteville.
State rules require players to train for three days with helmets and three more days with full gear before they are allowed to participate in full-contact drills. The late comers “will just be a little behind the others,” Hines said.
Hines was an offensive assistant on a Fayetteville team that won three games last year under a second-year head coach.
Hines may be coaching at a 1-A school, but at least the offense won’t be new.
On Wednesday Hines was still learning more about his players, something veteran coaches can take for granted.
Hines sought the Southside job to get more time with his young family. He and his wife have twin 4-year-old boys. At Byrd, Hines not only coached football, but was the varsity baseball coach.
Hines graduated from North Davidson High School and UNC-Wilmington.
For now, practices will run from 6 until 8 p.m. When school resumes, the practices will be scaled back so they start when the school day ends.
The Seahawks will host Pamlico, John Holmes, Manteo, Roanoke and Northside this year. Their road schedule has them at Rosewood, Camden, Plymouth, Perquimans and Williamston.