James excited for new role

The number one goal for newly appointed Head Coach Buck James is pretty straight forward – win a state championship.
Something the Bryant Hornet football program has yet to accomplish.
“If you shoot for the stars, then you can get there,” James said. “You got to be good but it also takes a little bit of luck.
“More importantly, you have to have the mindset that it takes to get there.”
James said it is a grind, especially in the 7A conference in which Bryant competes.
“But Bryant is able to win state championships in other sports and has been very successful,” James said. “I don’t see why they can’t do the same thing in football.”
James was approved by the Bryant School Board earlier this month at its regular scheduled December meeting after being recommended by Athletic Director Mike Lee.
“I have a 20-year relationship with Buck,” Lee told the Courier last week. “And I have seen him ascend to the top of the food chain, both as a baseball coach and football coach.
“He really struck me as being the right guy for Bryant at this time.”
James succeeds Calley, the winningest coach in Bryant Hornets’ football history. Calley resigned after 13 years as head coach and 23 years as a coach at Bryant to become the head coach at Benton Harmony Grove.
Bryant finished with nine wins this fall and made it to the quarterfinals of the 7A State playoffs before losing to eventual champion Fayetteville at home.
“I saw it as one of the top jobs in the state,” James said. “It potentially could be one the of the best jobs in the state.
“What they have done in the past, it is a situation that could be very successful.”
- read the rest in today's The Saline Courier