Palmetto Christian alum JT Waters working as an assistant at CSU

CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - "I always knew I wanted to be a coach. It's kinda in my blood."

There's coaching blood in the Waters family. Father Johnny patrols the sidelines for First Baptist and after a visit to Charleston Southern this summer, son J-T is following suit.

"J.T. came to me this summer with his dad." said Charleston Southern head coach Mark Tucker. "Just sat down and 'Coach, what opportunities are out there?' I said I need a defensive intern."

"I kind of introduced myself and asked what all he had going on and told him I'd love to be a part of this program if there was ever a chance." the younger Waters said. "Sure enough the cards kind of fell into place."

The cards he's been dealt are different than the ones he's used to. Waters was a standout quarterback at Palmetto Christian and also played wide receiver at Newberry. Now he's on the other side of the ball coaching linebackers. But he's pulling his weight on the Buccaneer ship.

"He's a worker. It's not only a reflection of his family with his dad being a coach but he gets it. It's also a reflection of what he received when he was a player at Newberry." Tucker said.

Plus if he has any questions..he's got a pretty good resource at home.

"I could be tickled to death." said the elder Waters. "He comes home, we talk about..he doesn't come home until about midnight. We stay up and we talk..I'm just so excited for him. First game on Friday night, Saturday morning I'll be heading to Florida because they play down in Florida. I can't be more happier. He deserves it. He's gonna be a great one."