Titles and statuses aren’t what Jeff Rolson got into coaching for—in fact it’s always been about the people. And for Rolson, who is taking over for legendary coach Rick Darlington at Apopka, he’s anything but new to the program.
Our Despina Barton gives us a glimpse of how he plans to run the show and what will be different this fall as the Blue Darters step out under new leadership:
There is no question that Apopka High School has created a reputation for winning some pretty big games.
With three state titles to their resume, there is no doubt Jeff Rolson has big shoes to fill with the Blue Darters.
“As a coach and as a competitive guy – I love to win and we have guys who love to win,” Rolson said.
“We’ve got a community and kids that expect to win and nobody is going to put more pressure on us than we are going to put on ourselves.”
Rolson is speaking from experience and he understands what it takes to win state titles, because he was on the sidelines with the Apopka for all three, just as an assistant coach.
Now on the 10 year anniversary of his last head coaching gig at Osceola High School, the 52-year old is taking the reins of APK, a program he first was a part of in 1999 and the only school he says he’d coach for.
“I love Apopka, love this community, the tradition we have and it’s not all sunshine. There are good days and bad but overall it’s just a place that captured my heart,” Rolson said of the school.
“There is no question he was the right person for the job,” Athletic Director Russell Wambles explained.
“Ever since he’s been here, you can just tell the comradery and the sense of togetherness of the kids and the coaching staff. Yeah there was no doubt we got the right guy.”
Besides having over two-decades of coaching high school football experience in the area, who is Coach Rolson?
“I am a technique guy, small detail guy –I’m a technician,” Rolson said of himself.
His team though, is already raving about his laid back demeanor and caring personality.
“He’s just a head coach who you can talk to,” Running Back Jecoryan Davis-Hamilton said.
“He has an open door policy and you can come talk to him anytime you want, he’s like another father figure at school.”
“I am not going to say it’s a looser vibe but it is more of a chill vibe,” Defensive Back Anthony Fieldings said of his personality.
And while Rolson’s expertise lies on the defensive front he vows to open up the playbook on offense this Fall—which will offer a very different look.
“We are going to try and throw the football some. That’s going to be a learning curve—it use to be single wing and we hit explosive people but I want to keep good receivers here in town.”
Don’t be fooled, the team’s physicality is not going anywhere, but be aware Rolson’s low-key nature is bringing something different to the locker room.
“They know we are going to hold them accountable and there is certain not going to bend on –it’s good to listen and it’s good to know where they are coming from,” Rolson added. “ I told them that right when I came in—and I have to be able to do it my way.”
Rest assure, the pillars are being put in place to keep the Blue Darters atop the list of perennial powers.
