Ricky Watters is back in football, just not at the level that most associate him with.
As reported by the Orlando Sentinel, and brought to Prep Rally’s attention by USA Today, the former 49ers Super Bowl champion running back was named the new head football coach at Orlando (Fl.) Oak Ridge High. Watters doesn’t have any prep football coaching experience, so he will be jumping directly into the deep end by attempting to lead a competitive program in Florida from Day One.
Of course, Watters has plenty of experience in football in general. The former running back starred for the 49ers, Eagles and Seahawks over the course of a 10-year career in which he averaged more than 1,000 yards per season.
Interestingly, Watters will be replacing another former NFL player who made his name at Oak Ridge. Former coach Elijah Williams served admirably at the Orlando school before leaving to take an assistant coaching position at Florida A&M during the 2013 offseason. Oak Ridge won six or more games in five of Williams' six seasons leading the program.
Since finishing his professional career and re-settling in Central Florida, Watters has reportedly served as a motivational speaker for at-risk youth in Central Florida, efforts that earned Watters a spot in the Central Florida Sports Hall of Fame.
Now he’ll be trying to achieve results that could justify his position there as a coach as well, all while overseeing a son who hopes to become a rap star rather than a running back.
How times have changed for a running back.
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