Rockbridge County High School has named former assistant football coach Zack Rhodenizer as its new head football coach.
A 2007 RC graduate, Rhodenizer replaces Martin Cox, who coached the Wildcats for the last three years, going 6-24 in three seasons. The hire was announced at the RC School Board meeting on Tuesday evening.
Rhodenizer previously served as the offensive coordinator from 2017-22 under then-head coach Mark Poston, and he's been a volunteer assistant coach for the Washington and Lee University football team for the last three years. He started his coaching career at Staunton River High School in Moneta, where he spent three years.
In the spring 2021 season, postponed from the previous fall and condensed due to COVID-19, the Wildcats had their first undefeated regular season in program history. They went 6-0 during the regular season, going 5-0 in the Valley District to win their first outright district title in program history, before losing to Heritage in the Region 3C semifinals. The Wildcats are switching to the Shenandoah District, with shorter travel distances, this coming school year.
Praising the new coach, RC athletic director Adam Haynes said in a press release, “Coach Rhodenizer is a highly motivated, organized, and high-energy guy, with a lot of passion for the game of football and Rockbridge County. Being a product from Rockbridge County, and this football program, Coach Rhodenizer has a lot of pride in our school and community and wants to bring that pride back to Wildcat Football.” “
After playing football for the Wildcats, Rhodenizer attended Liberty University and graduated with a. Bachelor of Science degree in Biology-Pre-Med. In addition to coaching, he’ll continue teaching science at the high school.
“We feel that Coach Rhodenizer is the right person to lead our football program here at Rockbridge County High School,” said Haynes. “We look forward to witnessing his version of Wildcat Football.”
The Wildcats are coming off a 2-8 season under Cox.
For the full story on this hire, please see our March 19 newspaper.
