DeSoto -- As the barbells and metal plates clang and clatter in their weight room, the DeSoto Eagles are going about the business of building a foundation for the fall.
These off-season workouts often when football teams come together, and it's exactly what new head coach Mike Robinson wants to see, "my philosophy is to teach life through football."
And in a way, you could say that's exactly what's going on here. Robinson not only trying to unite his team but DeSoto's football community as well.
"The seniors were probably wondering why us, why now," said Robinson.
Those Desoto seniors dealing with a coaching transition after Todd Peterman resigned in January. Last April his job status was in question, just months after the Eagle's won the school's only football state championship.
Desoto's school board came under fire for its questionable handling of the situation. To put it bluntly, it was a mess.
When asked about the turmoil, Robinson was quick to point out there wasn't an issue among the kids. And time and time again during our visit, Robinson stressed putting the kid first will provide a path to healing.
"When everyone's on the same page that we're working for the kids," he said, "then we'll all work hand in hand."
Robinson calls his new job a bucket list item, well aware of the off-the-chart expectations.
In the last six years, the Eagles have averaged nearly 12 wins a season, with two state semi-final appearances to go along with their title.
"I don't believe it's a burden," says Robinson. "I believe it's a challenge to exceed those expectations."
Eagle seniors remember what that 20-16 title run took when they were sophomores, and Robinson says, "they don't mind working for what they know."
And perhaps that's the work needed for a football team to teach this town a life lesson about coming together.