ONEIDA, Tenn. (WVLT) -- An old face is the new head coach at Oneida High School.

For the second time in his career, Tony Lambert is coaching the Indians.

The defensive minded Lambert was also the head coach at Oneida in 2007 and 2008.

In those two seasons, the Indians went 20-6.

This fall he takes over a team that reached the state quarterfinals a season ago.

"We want to try to be champions instead of talking about championships," Lambert said Wednesday afternoon.

"We want to try to perform and work each and every day like a champion should, to try to become the best we can."

With plenty of experience on the squad, leadership shouldn't be an issue for the Indians.

"We got a lot of leadership this year. We have more seniors than we've had in previous years," running back Brandon Smith said.

"I just think the seniors are really gonna step up this year. Work hard. Worry about the first game and just keep going from there."

Oneida opens up the season at home August 17 against Greenback. The Cherokees won last year's meeting 34-31.