MEADVILLE — For Trent Hammond his next job will be as leader ofthe Franklin County Bulldogs. Hammond was officially announced theBulldogs’ new head football coach Tuesday night.

He takes over for Grady McCluskey, who left Franklin High lastmonth for an assistant coaching job at Columbus.

“I’m very excited about coming to Franklin County,” saidHammond. “This is a great opportunity and I’m looking forward toit.”

Hammond, a Monticello native, comes to FCHS after serving fouryears as head coach at Water Valley. He was head coach at LawrenceCounty from 2001-2003.

Hammond was approved as the FCHS head coach by the FranklinCounty school board Tuesday night after a month-long search thatincluded 32 applicants applying for the job.

“Trent comes here highly recommended,” said Franklin Countyathletic director Johnny Monroe. “He will be taking over ourprogram pretty much the same way he took over Lawrence County whenhe was there, two years removed from winning a statechampionship.”

Hammond served as an assistant coach at Lawrence County in 1999when the Cougars won the State Championship. He was also anassistant on the 2000 State Championship McComb football team.

“He’s a hard nosed coach with a lot of experience,” saidFranklin High principal M.D. Bilbo. “He’s a good fit for ourprogram.”

The Bulldogs went 12-3 last season, losing to Louisville in the3A State Championship game. Franklin County won the 3A crown in2006, going 14-1.

“I know I’ve got some big shoes to fill, but I’m ready to get ona roll,” said Hammond. “This is a great opportunity and I’m lookingforward to meeting my new coaching staff and players.”

Hammond will be on campus Thursday and Friday, meeting withFranklin County coaches and players. He will coach the Bulldogs inthe 2008 Cellular South Jamboree in May.

“I’m really looking forward to everything,” added Hammond.”Franklin County is a place that always has potential and goodathletes. I can’t wait to get started.”