MT. JULIET -- As expected, Mt. Juliet Christian Academy announced Monday afternoon the hiring of Jake Roberts as new football coach of the Saints.

“I am excited to see the future of MJCA football now in place," said MJCA athletic director Paul Christensen. "Coach Roberts has shown great enthusiasm for this school and our kids. He is not coming in here to start over. He simply wants to continue to build on what former coach Mark Harrison has done."

Harrison was let go March 30 after going 4-16 in two seasons.

The MJCA athletic department is reportedly with Roberts to assemble a coaching staff. According to Christensen, former assistant Ron Young, will be retained as the offensive coordinator and associate head coach.

Roberts will officially take over the coaching reigns on May 8, the beginning of MJCA’s spring practice.

A former five-year assistant at Cumberland University, Roberts recently wrapped up his first season as a varsity assistant coach at Lebanon High. He started his coaching career at Cass High School in Cartersville Georgia.

Roberts was a four-year starter at University of the South in Sewanee, where he kicked the second-longest field goal (47 yards) in school history.

MJCA presently competes in Division II-A  (financial aid) of the TSSAA, East-Middle Region alongside Knoxville Webb, Donelson Christian, Davidson Academy, Franklin Road Academy, Columbia’s Zion Christian, Ezell Harding and Fayetteville’s Riverside Christian Academy.