Summer Football Camp: Alexander's Great Goal is to Guide Rich Central Back to Playoffs

Rich Central High School officials feel like they made the right decision in hiring Terrell Alexander to lead their football program. First, there is familiarity.

Alexander was a standout player at rival Rich East in the early '90s, so he knows the talent that exists in this area and the passion that is exhibited by players on Friday nights in the fall.

Second, Alexander had success on the field as he turned a stellar career with the Rockets into a college scholarship. He played linebacker and was a member of defensive line at Northern Illinois University.

Then, there is the experience and versatility that Alexander brings from being the defensive line coach at Homewood-Flossmoor for the last nine years. During that time, he worked under four different Viking head coaches.

“It is more about the staff than myself,” Alexander said.  “I have surrounded myself with a staff that has the same vision as me.”

Alexander made a point to bring back coaches who were in the building and individuals who appreciate Rich Central football.

"I couldn’t do it by myself," he said. "The administration extended some courtesy to me by giving me this job, and I want to do a good job and get this program turned around.

Alexander retained three assistants that were on last year’s staff, including former NFL player Ryan Yarborough.

“We all played under coach Bob Lombardi at Rich East in the late '80s and early '90s, and we will continue to follow his teachings and vision,” Alexander said.

Alexander will try to turn around a program that has made the playoffs just once in the last eight seasons, that coming in 2005. Despite winning enough games to qualify for the playoffs last year (five) , the quality of wins was not enough to qualify the Olympians.

Some Home Cookin' on Rich Central Football Schedule

This year, outside of conference play, the Olympians have scheduled some tougher competition and have the benefit of playing six of their nine regular-season games at home. Alexander hopes to implement a lot of what he learned at H-F.

“I learned a lot of very good things at H-F, and I hope to incorporate a little bit of everything," he said.

Alexander feels he has talent on his roster to make a quick turnaround of the Olympians.

"The biggest thing we have right now are young men that are good leaders and that are willing to do the job to win a championship and they deserve a championship here,” he said.

The Olympians will rely on returning all-area quarterback Devonte Black to be one of their leaders. Black will look to team with standout wide receiver Shawn Mitchell to make things happen in the passing game.

“Really, right now a lot of guys who were in the system last year know the system because we haven’t deviated too much from it," receivers coach Yarborough said. "So, they are teaching the younger guys."

Alexander hopes the seniors do a good job of setting an example for the younger players in the program.

“The biggest thing is to do things the right way,” he said. “Do the right things at home, at school and in the building and at practice.”

Alexander also hopes his players learn accountability.

“We need the players to be accountable,” he said. “If you can’t be here for a summer workout, we need to know where you are at, and the seniors have done a great job of making everyone accountable.”

The Olympians have had great turnouts for their 6 a.m. workouts. But, with the season just eight weeks away, they still have lots to get acquainted with as well as improve on.

“We are trying to build a program where everyone is on the same page,” Alexander said. “From the coaching staff to the smallest guy on the team to the guys that got all the ink last year to the guy that has never been mentioned, we are all Olympians."

Download the movie