Marvin Justice felt like the luckiest man in the world when he received word of his promotion within the Commerce High football program on Monday.

After being called in for a meeting at the high school with school system superintendent James McCoy and principal Donnie Drew last Friday, Justice was informed he was selected from a large field of candidates to succeed Steve Savage as Commerce High head football coach.

He was officially named the school’s new football coach with approval of the school system's board of education on Monday.

“To be named the head football coach at Commerce High is such a blessing,” Justice said. “This is a great program with tremendous community support.

“I’m just really excited.”

One thing Justice, a 20-year coaching veteran, had going for him in the interview process is the fact that he’s not a new face to the program. Before accepting the head coaching job, Justice served as defensive coordinator for the Tigers for the past five seasons, which is a position he plans to hold on to for the time being.

Justice’s two biggest goals right off the bat are to fill out the coaching staff and build on the strength and conditioning program with spring football on the horizon. Next year, Commerce returns seven players on offense and four players on the defensive side of the ball.

The Tigers have made 14 consecutive appearances in the state playoffs.

Before arriving at Commerce, Justice served as a defensive coordinator at Hart County in 2001 and 2004-2005. He’s also served as an assistant coach at Auburn High (Ala.), Troup, McIntosh, Forrest Park, Morrow and Stephens County.

He'll be taking over for former coach Steve Savage who went 181-85 in 22 seasons, including the Class A state championship in 2000.