Submitted photoBobby Bass with his wife,Tiffany, and three children, Caroline (10); Lilly Grace (3) and Anna Reese (7) Monday morning at Newton County. Bass was introduced as the Cougars' new football coach. 

DECATUR — Newton County and Bobby Bass reunited Monday morning when the school introduced Bass as its new football coach.

Bass returns to Decatur after a 10-year absence. He was an assistant coach from 2006-2008 under then-head coach Jeff Breland. Despite Bass’ decade-long absence, the hospitality shown to him and his family during his time as an assistant made the decision to return to Newton County an easy one.

“There are a lot of good people here,” Bass, 40, said. “The community support and the relationships we built with people that were here while we were here in two short years, it has a lasting impression on you.”

Bass replaces Gene Mitchell, who resigned in November after four years at the helm. Mitchell was diagnosed with cancer in 2016.

Bass most recently served as Brookhaven’s defensive coordinator, a position he held for three years. Brookhaven went 11-2 in Bass’ final season and was defeated by Laurel in the MHSAA Class 5A quarterfinal. The Panthers compiled a 23-14 record with Bass on staff. He brings 17 years of coaching experience to Newton County.

“In 17 years, I’ve kind of figured out that it doesn’t matter what you know, it’s what you can get the kids to understand,” Bass said. “So we weren’t really complex. We were very basic, and whatever we did, we wanted to do it as fast as possible. We didn’t want our kids thinking a whole lot — we wanted them reacting and flying to the ball, basically. I’ve been very blessed wherever I’ve been to have great athletes and to build relationships with those guys. I have several playing college football.”

In addition to Brookhaven, Bass has coached at J.Z. George and Clinton, among other schools. While at Clinton — where he was also a defensive coordinator — Bass coached former Arrows standout and current Florida State running back Cam Akers.

“When I was at Clinton, I was fortunate enough to coach Cam when he was a ninth grader and a sophomore,” Bass said. “The thing about Cam that made him special, and what I want our kids to understand, was it was never about him. It was about the team, and when your leaders work the hardest, it sets a great example for everyone else.”

Newton County is coming off of a 1-10 season and has gone 19-35 over the last five seasons. Bass hopes to replicate the success the Cougars had during his two-year stint when Newton County went 22-4 over that span. Bass planned to meet with his players for the first time Monday afternoon.

“I’m just looking forward to getting to know the kids, and seeing where we are, where we need to go,” Bass said. “And more than anything, the thing I love about coaching is the process. Nick Saban talks about it all the time — you gotta love the process. And getting our kids to understand that the process of winning is not easy. Everyone doesn’t go and win a state championship, but the teams that do, they understand the process and what it takes. I look forward to that, and teaching our kids that.”

Bobby Bass is married to Tiffany Bass, and the two have three children: Caroline (10); Anna Reese (7) and Lilly Grace (3).