The Atlanta Falcons Coach of the Week program recognizes high school football coaches across the state of Georgia for their hard work and dedication to making a difference in the lives of student-athletes both on and off the field.
Alan Rodemaker, the second winner of the 2019 season, is head coach of the renowned Valdosta Wildcats. This is Rodemaker’s 23rd season coaching high school football and his fourth season as the program’s head coach. The Wildcats won the Class AAAAAA state championship in Rodemaker’s first year and have made the playoffs in all three years under him. This season, Valdosta is off to a 3-0 start, with wins over Jackson (55-7), Tift County (37-0) and Columbus (54-37).
In addition to the success on the field, Rodemaker has taken action to ensure Valdosta’s proud culture is being used to benefit the community. He wrote a grant on behalf of the Valdosta Wildcats Football program in 2015 to help jumpstart our “Feed the Cats” nutritional program. The grant “Bright From the Start” allowed the program to be able to supplement food through local food bank Second Harvest of South Georgia.
“Since this program began we have seen a reduction in school referrals, increase in student attendance at school, and weight gain/retention within our football players.” said Wildcats Director of Football Operations DeMario Jones. “Through fundraising led by Coach Rodemaker and our Touchdown Club we are now able to offer the same program in our Feeder programs (middle schools).”
Coach Rodemaker’s daily statement to the young people in our programs is to think about others,” said Jones. “Always strive to do something for someone else before you think about yourself. His message to our players is to take the tough love offered by our program because we are building young people who will be prepared for the next 50-60 years of their life.”
The Wildcats will have a massive matchup this Friday night as they host Class AAAAAAA No. 2 Colquitt County. This will be the 47th all-time meeting between the South Georgia powerhouses with Valdosta owning a 28-19 edge in the series.
If you know a varsity head football coach dedicated to making a different on and off the field, CLICK HERE to nominate them for the Atlanta Falcons Coach of the Week Award.
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