It’s been almost a month since Antonio Ford was hired as the head coach at Lee-Huntsville.

Though he was able to confidently say one thing with a smile at Huntsville-area high school football media day: “There’s not a better job in the world.”

“It’s been fast, and these guys make it easy,” Ford told AL.com. “I love being here.”

The new Lee-Huntsville coach was officially approved to take over the Generals on Jun. 24 after ordinarily being hired as the program’s defensive ends under former head coach Irving McGuire.

Along with three seasons as the defensive coordinator at Tuscaloosa County High School, he has also served as an assistant at Auburn High on the defensive staff.

The Lee job marks Ford’s second head coaching tenure, also leading the program at Spisey High from 2011-2014. He led the program to its first Class 3A playoff appearance in 2012 and its second in 2013.

“Huntsville is a great city,” the coach said of his opportunity with Lee. “My wife wanted to be here. There’s a lot of history at Lee High School and I just stumbled upon the opportunity to come here. We love it here.”

Lee athlete John C. Jordan, who represented the Generals at media day on Monday alongside teammate and defensive back Vernell De’Vries, has been encouraged by the standards Ford has brought since taking over as head coach.

“He really came in and took over in a good way, really expecting players to step up and turn everything up a notch,” Lee’s John C. Jordan said. “He really pushed us to be great when he came in, he cut down the exceptions and he raised up the expectations.”

While the Generals went 0-10 last season in a tough Class 6A, Region 8, Ford and his players are making it a point to not look at the past and instead turn to what they can do better this season.

“Everything is forward for us,” Ford said. “We look at what we can do next? How can we get better? Even on our good days, there’s room for improvement. Like these guys said, we’re always looking to improve what we’re doing, and it’s going to be exciting. Every day is our next challenge. We have our next best day every time we show up.”

When asked about the culture that Ford has brought as head coach, De’Vries said the coach brings one of brotherhood and being close with one another; the Generals have taken part in team bonding activities and had a busy offseason.

“He’s a great coach, told us some good stuff that makes us love the game of football and be a respectful young man,” De’Vries said. “The way he coaches makes you think football isn’t just about playing football. It’s about turning somebody into where they really want to be as a young man.

“His words put this type of wisdom in you to make you feel like, don’t give up on yourself, just keep pushing and persevere. Just don’t give up on yourself.”

With kickoff right at a month away, Ford has been pleased with his team and staff in the short time he’s been the program’s head football coach.

Lee-Huntsville will open the season on Friday, Aug. 22, at Milton Frank Stadium against Class 7A crosstown foe Grissom before a road matchup with Bob Jones on Aug. 29.

“A strength of our team is the unity,” Ford said. “I think that’s what we’re building everything on. There’s no set role for our players or our coaches. Everybody’s diving in head first and helping where we can help and that’s our strength.”