In his introductory press conference Wednesday morning, Ron Norman channeled Denzel Washington’s character in “Remember The Titans,” albeit in a much more light-hearted manner.

“They have a new dad now; that’s me,” the new Meridian High School boys basketball coach said to those in attendance at the school’s multipurpose building.

Expected to contend for an MHSAA Class 6A state title this coming season, the Wildcats officially introduced Norman, who replaced Randy Bolden after Bolden coached the team for nine seasons. He comes after a three-year stint at Pascagoula High School, in which he went 68-25 overall, including a perfect 18-0 in Region 8-5A all three seasons. Pascagoula made it to at least the third round of the 5A playoffs for the past three years.

His message to the players? If they buy in, they can expect great things.

“We’re going to be family,” Norman said. “We’re going to play hard and put a good product on the floor.”

A Bay Springs High School product who previously coached there as well as Wayne County High School — and won a state championship there in 2011 — Norman said he was immediately interested in the MHS opening as soon as he found out about it.

“Growing up in the area and knowing the history of Meridian basketball, if you’re a coach in Mississippi, you know this is one of the premiere programs in the state,” Norman said. “When it came open, I saw an opportunity and put my best foot forward.”

Wildcats assistant coach Tony Tadlock has been running practices during MHS’s search for a coach, and he said Wednesday he was excited to have a high-caliber coach take the reins.

“I’ve known Coach Norman for a long period of time,” Tadlock said. “I feel like the way he coaches is going to fit perfectly with our kids. He’s tough on them, but he’s going to love them harder. He’s the perfect fit for Meridian High School basketball.”

Tadlock also said Norman is aware of the big expectations going into the coming school year.

“I think one of the things he inherits is a talented team, and he knows that,” Tadlock said. “Our goal this year is a 6A state championship, and he knows that as well. The talent is here, and I know Coach Norman is going to take us where we need to be.”

With returning stars like point guard Jay Malone and forward Ledarrius Brewer, both seniors, Norman said he’s glad it isn’t a rebuilding job he inherited.

“I do know it’s a senior-laden team we have returning,” Norman said. “There are some pretty good pieces on the team through the junior and senior class, and I’m excited to inherit kids that are already ready to go.

“If you’re in it long enough, you’re going to rebuild, and if you’re in it long enough, you’re going to inherit really good programs with really good players, and I’m on the side of inheriting some really good teams. The thing is, I just have to keep the car on the road. We’re not going to reinvent the wheel; it’s a matter of me putting my stamp on the program and us moving forward.”

Since he didn’t get to coach the team through summer ball, Norman said July workouts will be geared toward putting his system in place. That system, Norman said, will center around a stifling defense.

“If you check my track record, you’ll know I’m a defensive-minded coach,” Norman said. “We’re going to get up and pressure people — 32 minutes of hades. We’re trying to just wear people down with defensive pressure, but you have to coach to the talent you have. I think we have tremendous talent here, and I want to utilize that talent in all ways.”