The former South Robeson coach who stepped down after last week’s loss to East Columbus is joining Red Springs’ football staff, pending approval by the Public Schools of Robeson County. The Robesonian has learned that Warwick is expected to start work today and join the Red Devils for this afternoon’s football practice.
Warwick begins work with a Red Devils’ coaching lineup that includes a handful of former head coaches, making it the deepest staff in the area heading into 2012.
“I believe everything happens for a reason and I’m looking forward to my opportunity,” Warwick said. “I’m going to go in and try to blend in with those guys. It’s a fantastic staff, a lot of great coaches. I’m going to do my part in building this school into a 1A power.”
Within 24 hours of saying goodbye to Rowland, according to Warwick, he received feelers from Red Springs, St. Pauls, Pinecrest and Athens Drive in Raleigh.
Red Springs athletic director and first-year coach George Coltharp declined comment until Warwick’s move was official.
“The Lord puts eyes in the front of your head for a reason,” Warwick said. “We always look forward. If He wanted us to look backward or in the past, he would have put our eyes in the back of our head. I’m looking forward and ahead and the future is very exciting.”
South Robeson lost its starting quarterback Jeremiah Swett for a brutal four-game stretch during the middle of the season that included contests against Southern Lee, Purnell Swett, Fairmont and St. Pauls.
The sophomore quarterback showed promise during the first month of the season but never returned back to full strength after the shoulder injury. Warwick took a quarterback-by-committee approach over the last seven games finding the most success with junior varsity starter Daquinn Lindsay. In two games, both double-digit losses, Lindsay directed the Mustangs on five scoring drives.
“It’s hard for teams to have success losing one of the top guys of offense,” Warwick said. “We were already thin at most positions then we lose our quarterback. It was a no-win situation.”
Warwick is excited for the next step in his career, but wishes things would’ve ended differently in Rowland. He hoped he would’ve been the guy to reverse the fortunes of a football program that hadn’t made the playoffs in three years.
“I truly wish the kids, faculty, and administration at South Robeson only the best in the future,” Warwick said. “I hope they find the right coaching staff that takes those kids to the next level. There are a lot of great people and great kids in Rowland that I will always care about and those kids deserve that.”
Staff writer Brad Crawford can be reached at (910) 272-6119 or at bcrawford@heartlandpublications.com
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