Meet Rockford’s new football coaches for the 2024 season

Leroy McFadden was a rare Big Ten recruit out of the NIC-10 … sort of. He played more for Michigan State (391 yards rushing, 224 receiving in 1997 and 1998) than he ever did at Auburn, leaving Rockford to move in with his uncle in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, after his sophomore year.

“I had to get away,” said McFadden, who grew up “in the heart of the west side” of Rockford. “I found a better opportunity for me sports-wise and academically.”

“We are trying to instill in these kids that no matter where you are, you can do what you can do and be the best you can be,” McFadden said, pointing to two current NFL and NBA players from Auburn. “They have Vederian Lowe and Fred VanVleet as role models. I was there, too. I was walking the same streets and hallways they are. It can happen. I preach education and discipline, then sports.”

Now McFadden, one of three new head football coaches in the NIC-10 this fall, is trying to do the same for kids who are in the same situation as he was. And trying to give them that opportunity without leaving town.

Here is a quick look at the new head football coaches in the Rockford area this fall:

More: ‘It’s a different year and a different feel’: Meet Rockford’s 4 new football coaches

Leroy McFadden, Auburn

McFadden also preaches a love for football. McFadden, 47, had left football after trying for a couple of years to play as a pro. He got back into the game when Rockford Christian coach Terrence Gulley added him to his staff. But then his son Yorel — Leroy spelled backward — was diagnosed with cancer at age 3.

McFadden left the game again.

“I shut it down and went into daddy mode,” McFadden said. “Cedric Jones heard about it and brought me over to Lutheran, saying, ‘You need to come back. You need to start coaching again.’ ”.

Yorel, now a 7-year-old…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/meet-rockfords-football-coaches-2024-080225553.html

Author : Rockford Register Star

Publish date : 2024-08-14 08:02:25

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