A Higher Purpose
By John Wood
Faith and sports, specifically football, have long been book ends of strong lives. It’s a common sight to see scripture quotes lining the walls of high school, college, and professional locker rooms. Football coaches and preachers, at least inspirational ones, and definitely the more fiery ones, could have interchangeable roles, especially in the South.Players, coaches, administrators, and parents know where they stand with Camden County head football coach Welton Coffey. It is a simple as looking at the verse of scripture under the columbia blue and white Camden football. The verse is Hebrews 12:11, and it states “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”For actual application, consider the psyche of a football player working hard to get a final rep in the weight room or trying to block or tackle a tough opponent. If the player is persistent, he might see the fruits of his discipline, such as a trip to the state playoffs or even winning a state championship, as Coffey has an assistant at Camden and a head coach at Raines High School in Jacksonville.After winning the state title at Raines, his alma matter, Coffey ended up back at Camden.
Former Camden County head football coach Jeff Herron, who had won three titles in the 2000s at the coastal school, decided to step down, shocking the entire state. When the job opening was announced, Camden County had applicants from all over the country. The adminstration found Herron’s successor on staff in Coffey, then the Wildcats offensive coordinator.“Coach Coffey is a great coach and person and has his priorities in order. The players respect him and play hard for him,” says Herron, Prince Avenue Christian School head football coach.Coffey credited the Camden County administration and the entire school system for ensuring a smooth transition following a legendary coach like Herron. “Coaching [just like anything in life] is not a one man show. If you are successful in anything, you must have quality help. Our kids are prepared because we have quality men preparing them. They love the game, but they love the players more. That is the number-one priority for me as a head coach…do you love the total child, not just the athlete. It will show in their coaching…every time. We lost a number of very good coaches last season [11 Total including Herron].
They went on to be head coaches and coordinators in other programs. That is a great thing…that means that you are hiring the right people. The blessing is that we were able to hire at least seven, eight men and they have been working great with the nucleus of men that stayed when I was blessed with the head coaching duty,” Coffey said.Succeeding a coach like Herron has not been an easy task but Coffey looks to his faith to help him be successful. “I have said this many times…I am doing God’s work. This situation was not in my life plan, nor was I looking. It is incredible how God will put you in situations…that is what I love about serving Him. His [God’s] expectations are much higher for me then I ever thought. Coach Herron is an outstanding coach, but more importantly an outstanding man. I am honored to follow behind a person like that (as well as the other coaches that have come before me)! The expectations should be high, but that will not affect what I do in this great football program. I know who I am and I am not naïve to the expectations…I believe (and love) in the violence of the game and what young men learn by being part of the team,” Coffey says.Coffey also uses the examples of his coaching mentors to shape his program.
Coaches at all levels have been inspirational to Coffey, beginning with his first coach, who was part of his development in youth sports under coach Mike Holman. Holman cared about Coffey as a person beyond his athletic ability.Coffey learned about loving the game, and winning with humility, from Raines High School football coach Freddie Stephens, who he eventually replaced. One of his greatest inspirations isn’t from the gridiron but the baseball diamond.“Coach Douglas White [Raines High School head baseball coach] – he probably (along with his family) had the greatest impact on me and many others. I wanted to be just like him when I grew up…I mean everything from his wife (she is awesome), number of children, coaching style…everything. My junior college baseball coach, Howard Roey, taught me one [of the] the most important qualities for a coach – literally, have fun. You don’t have to always be stone-faced to coach and to build a winning program,” Coffey says.A perrennial power, Camden has been a fixture at the Corky Kell Classic in the Georgia Dome, which features the best of the state to kick off the football season. Though Camden didn’t fare as well against a tough North Gwinnett team as he would have liked, the Wildcats have bounced back and are playing solid football.“People have no I idea what it takes to run a program period, much less one the size of Camden County.
To keep it simple, 6 am to 9 pm on weekdays, Friday’s I (or we) will not get home until 1 am (away games it is much later). Weekends I will spend at least five to seven hours a day doing something football related,” Coffey says.Being the head of a high-powered high school program can be really tough but Coffey has some great assistants. He also has a very understanding family in wife Keenya B. Coffey and daughter Kelsey, a CCHS freshman.“They are my rock and reality check. If I start feeling myself a little too much…they will bring me down to earth…quickly. They have really embraced my new job and are a great help. I love them both dearly. We are very active in our church. I was ordained a deacon this past summer and I am truly humbled by that experience and duty. My service to God comes before everything else and this football program is part of my ministry,” Coffey says.
