On Nov. 27, it was announced that Roger Haynes was hired as the head coach for the Red Raiders. As many Raider fans know, Haynes stepped up early in the 2023 season and fulfilled the role of head coach in the absence of Doug Greene. Prior to this, Haynes has been the Raider defensive coordinator for 3 years.
While many assumed Haynes would automatically take on the role as full time head coach, he had some competition. Haynes was one of 31 people who applied to take on the role of head coach for the upcoming season.
Upcoming junior AJ Schuster says, “I think Coach Haynes was the best option for the head coach position. I am looking forward to seeing how much the program will change for the better and the choices in coaches. Coach Haynes is a great coach. He gets stuff done.” Our athletic trainer, Jason Sanders, commented, “He’s the man for the job, he cares about the guys on and off the field.”
Haynes himself says, “It was nice to get the interim tag off so we can get to business.” Haynes plans to make changes to the football program. One of these changes being working with elementary school and middle school kids; he hopes that the team will be an involved resource for the local youth football teams. “The goal is to get more community involvement,” Haynes explained. He is looking forward to “Getting the kids excited about football.” However, he recognizes getting a full coaching staff and having everyone on the same page will be a struggle.
Haynes says his favorite part of coaching is “The relationship I’ve developed with my players for a lifetime.” He shared the story of his relationship with his high school coach, who inspired Haynes’ love for coaching. After he finished school, his old coach hired him for his first-ever coaching job. Twenty years later, Haynes was the head coach of the second largest high school, and he gave his previous coach his last job before retirement.
The Red Raiders will be working hard, and Haynes will be pursuing many plans for the upcoming season. Many changes will likely occur, but hopefully the hard work and coaching decision will pay off next fall!
