He didn’t tip-toe around it, Rodney Redd came right out and acknowledged how strange it was for him to be doing his second press conference and formal introduction as a head coach for a Jefferson District football team in a little over two years.
“When people plan, God laughs,” Redd said to begin.
In 2009 the long time Mustangs assistant took over at Fluvanna County, but resigned after one year. The following fall, he was back in a familiar role with Monticello as the team’s defensive backs coach. Redd’s got a new head coaching job, and after a month long search, Mustangs athletic director Fitzgerald Barnes was proud to officially announce his hiring. But With Redd’s parents, child, and his predessesor and the only other head coach in Monticello history, Brud Bicknell, all in attendance, the new coach was even more proud to accept his title.
“This is the first place I’ve ever coached, so that speaks for itself,” Redd said. “Around 2001 when I just got out of college I got the opportunity to be a JV coach on Brud’s staff and that set the ball rolling, not only for this position on the athletics staff, but on the other (jobs) I’ve held.”
After 13 seasons at helm for Monticello, Bicknell stepped down this winter to pursue the same position at Patriot High in Nokesville, a brand new Group AAA school. Bicknell won the 2007 Group AA Division 3 title with Central Virginia’s all-time leading rusher, Takeem Hedgeman leading the way, and made it to the state semifinals the very next year, his third such appearance during his tenure.
Redd, who played college football at North Carolina State, noted that he plans on keeping as much as he can the same as he takes over while also trying to put his own mark on the program. In his address to those in attendance, he promised to maintain an already well established off season weight training program and added that he hopes to take advantage of technology to improve the operation and communication of the program.
In his first year as the leader at Monticello, Redd inherits a talented group. Last year the Mustangs earned a Region II berth and beat Goochland before falling to Handley. Redd still has a staff to fill out, but he has a number of key players back in the mix including quarterback Jhalil Mosley, running back Isaac Robinson and defensive backs Denzel Terry and William Tillery.
