4 Questions with St. Thomas Aquinas Football Coach Roger Harriott
We spoke with St. Thomas Aquinas football coach Roger Harriott about how he and his staff manage the many talented players on their team.
Q: How long have you been coaching at St. Thomas Aquinas?
A: Since March 2015.
Q: Can you talk about the success that the St. Thomas Aquinas football team has enjoyed over the past decade?
A: The success we’ve acquired over the years has been a major blessing as an eminent result of God’s will and favor.
Coach (George) Smith and his supporting cast successfully established the most prominent high school football program to date. It brings our entire Aquinas community great joy to witness the continued success we’ve achieved year after year on and off the field.
To God be the glory as we serve with purpose and gratitude in faith.
Q: St. Thomas Aquinas produces some of the top high school football players in the country. Do you have a process of managing that environment of having so many great athletes on one team?
A: Each team has its own personality that needs to be shaped by adverse, problematic challenges, which requires strategic solutions.
My coaching staff and I are grateful for the opportunity to introduce our process for holistic success on and off the field each year. Football is a ministry to us, and we believe in coaching our players to be champions in life, which reinforces a habitual desire to win in all aspects of their lives.
For instance, adversity is an opportunity to find solutions, be resourceful, and get motivated through the championship process by exercising and strengthening our faith and character on a daily basis.
Q: How is the 2021 team looking so far?
A: The outlook for this season is full of optimistic promise.
We are returning a number of experienced players on offense with Zion Turner, Anthony Hankerson, Mason Taylor, and Broden Sobolewski leading the way.
On defense, Derrieon Craig and Jerrod Cameron are returning to lead a talented group who lacks game experience.
The special teams units are expected to be a tenacious force in this particular phase of the game. I’m confidentially excited about fielding a few new faces at kicker, punter, and long snapper.
As we prepare for this season, working to win another championship is a blessed expectation to represent our STA faith, family, tradition, and excellence standards.
Written by: Phil Jones
