By Matthew Hatfield

Special to the News-Herald

King’s Fork High School announced on Friday that Scottie Littles will take over as the school’s new head football coach.

Littles, 26, becomes just the third person to lead the Bulldogs’ program, which started in 2004, when he was still playing football.

“I always knew I wanted to get back closer to home. When I came up for the interview, I was highly impressed with Dr. (Ron) Leigh, coach (Randy) Jessee and their vision for the program as well as their commitment to excellence,” Littles said.

“What also drew me to King’s Fork was the amount of talent walking the hallways in that building. Our mission here is to have every single person that comes through the program ready, college or career-wise, upon leaving King’s Fork High School.”

Born in Honolulu, Littles played in three state championship games at Landstown High School in Virginia Beach for Chris Beatty, who’s now coaching at the University of Maryland. He won a state title with the Eagles and later went on to play for Bridgewater College.

In 2011, Littles spent a year as an assistant coach at Ocean Lakes in Virginia Beach. He comes to Suffolk after spending the past three years as an assistant in Florida, most recently at Chamberlain High School.

“We were extremely pleased with the number of quality coaches that we had apply, several of them with successful head coaching experience,” King’s Fork Athletic Director Randy Jessee said.

“Scottie impressed me with his widespread knowledge of the game. He is also a very enthusiastic and positive person that has worked with a very impressive group of head coaches in his short tenure as an assistant. That has enabled him to acquire a unique pedigree, and we feel like he will do a great job in leading our young people to success, not only on the football field, but in becoming a better person in life.”

At King’s Fork, Littles replaces Joe Jones, who after eight seasons left to become the new head coach at Ocean Lakes. Jones directed the Bulldogs to some breakthrough moments, such as their first playoff appearance in 2012, first postseason victory just a year later and a school-record 10 wins in 2014.

“We wish coach Jones all the best, as he was a great asset as a coach and role model. He is also a great friend,” Jessee added. “We look for coach Littles to take a great foundation and take it to the next level.”

Last year, the Bulldogs finished 6-6 overall, earning their fourth straight playoff appearance. Even with the departure of all-time leading rusher Deshaun Wethington to Towson University, Littles is setting the bar high.

“The expectation is to come in and build a culture of success and competition,” he said. “We’re going to have a structured program here, and we plan on playing a brand of football that’s disciplined and exciting.”

“Like I told the young men — we’re going to be uncommon,” he added. “That means doing things that other people aren’t willing to do. We’re not in this to be 5-5 or 6-6. We’re in this to play for a state title, year in and year out, which is going to require a lot of work, but at the end of the day, anything that’s worth having isn’t easy.”

King’s Fork will host its annual Peanut City Shootout on June 18, Littles said. Its 2016 season is slated to start at home against Smithfield, whom they outlasted in an exciting 42-36, opening-round 4A-East Region playoff match last November.