North Carolina High School Football Program Promotes From Within

Rolesville names Kevin Reddick its new head football coach.

Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke, right, shakes hands with Rolesville High School (N.C.) head football coach Rainer Rackley as running back Tank Bigsby (4) looks on after the third and final day of a mandatory minicamp Monday, June 12, 2023 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fla. Rackley is part of the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK

Less than two weeks after losing its head coach to Duke University, a North Carolina high school football program has been promoted from within.

Kevin Reddick will become the new head coach at Rolesville High School, replacing Ranier Rackley, who became the Director of Player Development at Duke University.

News of the decision was first reported by High School OT.

Reddick was the defensive coordinator for the Rams for the past three seasons, helping the team win 25 games during that run. Last year, Rolesville allowed just under 15 points per game with Reddick in charge of the defense.

North Carolina High School Promotes Defensive Coordinator To Head Coach

Rolesville finished 9-4 last season under Rackley and Reddick.

Reddick is a graduate of New Bern High School, helping the Bears capture the 2007 Class 4AA North Carolina High School Athletic Association State Football championship. He was tabbed the most valuable player of that title game as a sophomore fullback after scoring two touchdowns in a 28-17 victory over Independence.

At New Bern, Reddick earned conference defensive player of the year honors and was all-state at lineback as a senior after recording 189 tackles, eight quarterback sacks, six forced fumbles and four blocked punts. He also ran for over 160 yards and scored six touchdowns.

Kevin Reddick Was College Standout, Had NFL Career Before Becoming Coach

Following his high school career, Reddick signed with North Carolina as a four-star prospect, earning first team all-ACC honors as a senior. He also had offers from North Carolina State, Virginia and Clemson.

With the Tar Heels, Reddick played in 50 games, recording 275 tackles, including 36 for loss, with 8.5 quarterback sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.

Reddick signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted rookie free agent, and also had stints with the San Diego Chargers, Carolina Panthers and Buffalo Bills.

Rolesville reached the North Carolina High School Athletic Association State Football championship game with Reddick on the coaching staff and the third round this past season.

Rolesville Returns Top Rusher, Several Other Key Players

The Rams will be replacing starting quarterback Kaleb Williams, who had almost 2,500 yards passing and 22 touchdowns, as freshman Chase Williams was 8-for-8 for 98 yards with a touchdown in three games.

They will have top running back Amir Brown back, as he ran for 1,374 yards with 22 touchdowns and six games of 100 yards rushing as a junior. He also had 13 receptions for 106 yards and another TD.

Anthony Roberts is another key player back, as he caught 35 passes for 656 yards and nine TDs. Top tacklers Jayden Broadie, Javon Campbell, Genesis Allen and Keonte Sutton are all set to return, as well.