Recently hired Meridian High School football coach Martez Edwards, left, talks with Neil Henry Monday evening during a meet-and-greet event hosted in the school’s multipurpose building.

When Meridian Mayor Percy Bland first met new Meridian High School football coach Martez Edwards, one of the first things he stressed to the new coach was making himself and the football team visible to the community.

“I told him when he got here that the mayor, the superintendent, the police chief, the high school principal and football coach are some of the most visible people in this city,” Bland said. “A lot of people had questions, and they wanted to talk to him, because it was not a public (hiring) process like it’s normally been.”

Monday evening, Edwards was on hand at the school’s multipurpose building to introduce himself to Meridian fans at a meet-and-greet hosted by the Meridian athletic department. He took it as a chance to mingle with people that he hopes will support the Wildcats program as he takes it over following his hiring back in late January.

“We’re one city,” Edwards explained. “One team. We’re going to be one heartbeat. We’re going to be connected, and this team can be the heartbeat of this school, and the school is actually the heartbeat of this city.”

In addition to the players, it was the Meridian fanbase that attracted Edwards to the job. As an assistant coach at Jackson State in 2008, Edwards was on hand to see the Wildcats win the MHSAA Class 5A title and defeat superpower South Panola. It’s why Edwards wants the team and the community to have a good relationship, he said.

“I just saw the passion in the fans and the desire in those players, and I said, ‘If there was ever a good fit and a chance to coach high school football, that would be a place I’d want to go,’” Edwards recalled.

Meridian athletic director Chuck Butler said he supports the vision of having the football team be more visible in the community, which is why having Edwards mingle with Wildcat supporters was a good idea.

“We just wanted him to have a chance to meet some people in our community, because a big part of this job is getting out in the community and making connections there, so we felt like this was a good way to get started with it,” Butler said.

Having spoken to him previously, Bland said he’s gotten a good vibe from Edwards. Bland referenced the fact that Edwards had previously applied for the head coaching position at Meridian back when former Wildcats coach Larry Weems stepped down. Despite not getting it then, Bland was impressed that Edwards wasn’t fazed in applying for it a second time.

“What stood out about him is his tenacity,” Bland said. “He interviewed for this job in the past and did not get it, he came back and reinterviewed. What he wants to do with the kids and community, and his passion, those are the things that have stood out the most.”

Meridian linebackers coach Jarvis Cole was in attendance Monday and said Edwards’ willingness to work has stood out.

“He’s coming in and asking a lot of questions, just trying to figure out what it’s going to take to fix the program,” Cole said.

Cole also said visibility to the community is key for any head coach at Meridian.

“I think being visible in the community is important because football is what drives Meridian,” Cole said. “When the football team does well, the morale around the city is up. Basically, football is everything that brings the community together, so the leader has to be out in the community and has to be visible to make everything go.”