Rashad Gandy, left, was named head football coach at Quitman High School earlier this week. Gandy spent the last 11 years at Hattiesburg High School and was the Tigers' defensive coordinator the last three seasons. 

Quitman’s Board of Trustees on Monday approved the hire of Rashad Gandy as Quitman High School’s new football coach, marking the first time in eight seasons a new face will lead the program.

Gandy, 37, spent the last 11 years at Hattiesburg High School, where he’s served as the Tigers’ defensive coordinator for the last three. Gandy replaces Steve Bynum.

“Panther Nation is something that’s been going throughout the state, and they’re doing great things within the school,” Gandy said. “Growing up in Wayne County, I know a little bit about the community as far as the great people and the great small-town atmosphere. They love Quitman, and those were some of the things that attracted me.”

Gandy, an alumnus of Wayne County High School, played for two years at East Mississippi and Jones County community colleges as a safety and linebacker.

Hattiesburg over the last three seasons has accumulated a 37-6 record. The Tigers’ defensive unit during that span has sparkled.

In 2016, Gandy’s defense allowed 25.7 points per game, and one year later, it held opponents to 20.2 points per contest. Last season, Hattiesburg allowed just 15 points per game. Gandy plans to bring that brand of intensity to the Panthers’ defense.

“My expectation is to most definitely compete and put a product on the field that our kids, our coaching staff, our school and our community can be proud of,” Gandy said. “I want a team that’s going to compete for four quarters. Win, lose or draw, I want you to know that you played the Quitman Panthers tonight. We most definitely expect to compete, and compete at a high level.”

Gandy inherits a Panthers team that went 5-7 last season and appeared in the first round of the MHSAA Class 4A playoffs. Quitman is primed to return 18 rising seniors next season. Gandy met with his new players Tuesday.

“Just speaking with them, I think they’re ready to work,” Gandy said. “I talked to them about that winning attitude, and one of the things I stressed to them is we’re going to be winners, and I had to explain to them what I meant by that. That’s not necessarily talking on the field of play — I want to be winners at home, in the classroom and in the hallway. I want to be winners in the community.”

After observing Gandy’s numerous accomplishments at Hattiesburg, Brian Jordan, Quitman’s athletic director, is confident he’ll leave a positive mark on the Panthers’ program.

“First off, he’s proven himself as a winner on the football field,” Jordan said. “Being the defensive coordinator at Hattiesburg for the last several years, and the success they’ve had, we kind of wanted to hopefully replicate that into what we’re trying to do at Quitman.”

Quitman opens its 2019 season Aug. 23 at Wayne County.