Valdosta, GA (WTXL)--- After being an assistant coach for six seasons, Alan Rodemaker is now the head football coach at Valdosta High School.
He is finishing up his first spring though as the head football coach. Rodemaker takes over for Rance Gillespie who left to be an assistant coach at Georgia Southern. Rodemaker is thrilled, but he says not much has changed. "I still am doing the same old stuff." Rodemaker said. "I've got capable guys on the opposite side doing their job so no change for me."
The Wildcats lost in the second round of the playoffs last year and also lost key players like quarterback Seth Shuman.
"They were. We had a really good run," Rodemaker said. "We had really good players. A good defensive player and a good offensive player in Seth Shuman. We will be missing those guys, but we have a lot of guys back especially on defense. We have nine guys back and five on offense and so with this new offense more of a run style offense I am excited about the possibilities of going further in the playoffs."
This spring Rodemaker is emphasizing taking care of the football and running the ball more on offense using the quarterback and running back. The Wildcats open the season against crosstown rival Lowndes on August 19.
"You better be ready." Rodemaker said. "It's going to be a challenge for our school and a challenge for us just being game ready that early, but we are excited about it. It's always nice to have a big game like that early in the season so they can look forward to it. It kind of guides the whole offseason."
