Those associated with the football program at Phoenix St. Mary’s haven’t had much to smile about in recent seasons.

But the bells pealed on Wednesday (Feb. 23) with the announcement that Todd Williamson will guide the Knights as their new head coach.

From this viewpoint, it is a solid hire.

Williamson worked his tail off while trying to mold Phoenix Central’s program for the last four seasons.

Competition in the Class 5A Metro Region isn’t quite what it was back in the day, but Williamson had his players ready to play every week and doing it with enthusiasm.

In a game that had playoff implications last fall against Laveen Betty H. Fairfax, Central and Fairfax went back and forth before Fairfax prevailed. Central didn’t back down and fought until the end.

That’s the type of play we should expect from St. Mary’s.

Williamson has a competitive fire that should rub off on his new players. Initially, the odds for success won’t be very good against some of the more talented programs. But it won’t be too long before he has the Knights on the verge of making a return to the playoffs.

And he should help the boys develop off the field as much as on.