Coaching Change

It didn’t happen quite the way Recharde Goodwyn expected.

Goodwyn always had aspirations of being a head coach, but the Booker High defensive coordinator thought it would be a while before he led a team.

But in February, Booker dismissed head coach Johnnie Jones after two seasons. Goodwyn was named the Tornadoes’ interim head coach, and in March, the interim tag was removed and Goodwyn was officially named the team’s new head coach.

“The kids have really rallied around me,” Goodwyn says. “My message has always been the same, and that’s to get better every day as people and as players. If we focus on that aspect and don’t worry about the wins and losses; if we do that, then football will take care of itself.”

A native of Petersburg, Va., Goodwyn was a linebacker for Delaware State University. Goodwyn began his coaching career as an assistant at Delaware State before returning home to Petersburg High.

Goodwyn moved to Florida three years ago when his former teammate, Carlos Woods, was named the Tornadoes’ head coach. Woods left the program prior to the start of that season for personal reasons, but Goodwyn remained on as defensive coordinator under Jones.

Now, Goodwyn is focused on strengthening his 65 players as individuals while coaching them to another winning season and perhaps their first district title since 2007.

“I really believe successful people aren’t just successful in one aspect, they are successful in all aspects of life,” Goodwyn says. “It’s about creating a culture. We want them to be successful in the classroom, in their daily lives at home and on the football field. That’s what I’m focused on.”