Varsity football recruits new offensive coordinator

photo by Coggins Photography Coach Cochran talks to the varsity football team alongside Coach Bonds after a big team win. The Knights just beat rival Cherokee Christian 41-20, winning their home opener for this season.

Ryan Cochran is filling the role as the new varsity football offensive coordinator, which is The Kings Academy’s third offensive coordinator in three years. He is beginning his third year coaching with TKA Knight’s football, but his first year as the offensive coordinator. Coach Cochran was previously an offensive coordinator for the middle school team. Even though there has been a lot of change in the coaching structure, Coach Cochran is passionate and has not only the skills, but also the experience the high school boys need.

“I love influencing young men for Christ, and I love the idea of taking young men and helping them to achieve goals personally,” Coach Cochran said. “I also love the idea of Gideon's army and teaching young men to do hard things and to be successful in what God’s called them to.” 

While the Varsity team has lost 10 of their seniors, they gained 14 new recruits to the program The varsity football team lost 10 seniors last year, and they have 14 new players to the program, including several new starting players. This adds a level of difficulty to the team-building aspect. Regardless, Cochran sees the young talent and knows how to push the boys to reach their true potential. 

Coach Cochran's high school and college football careers, along with his passion for the game, have helped him on his journey to becoming a coach. He is the coach he is today because of the many hours of dedication he put into the game. The high-performance demanding job is not for the light-hearted, and Coach Cochran has stepped up to the plate by taking this position.

“I would certainly think that this year is a year that we will see to execute on a high level, and already we are getting close to the records on the quarterback yardage and running back yardage,” Coach Cochran said.

No football team is built overnight and takes countless hours of training according to Coach Cochran. The team still needs to work on growing as a team and on coordination, but soon, Coach Cochran believes they will grow into a well-oiled machine. He does not doubt that the team has what it takes, and through enough practice and grit, the team will succeed.

Sophomore Dylan Owens said, "What I think Coach Cochran does the best with coaching is helping his players excel and be better. I think his main focus is to help us excel and put us in different positions pushing us to our limits to make us better.”