Published: 11:29 PM, Mon Jul 30, 2012
Jack Britt's new coach, Brian Rimpf, jumps right in to first practice
Jack Britt's morning practice Monday was strictly for varsity players, bringing dozens of familiar faces to the practice field behind the high school.
However, a few new faces can be spotted in the crowd.
The most notable is head coach Brian Rimpf, who took over the program after the departure of Richard Bailey.
The former East Carolina player looks to have perfectly integrated himself, running practice smoothly with help from the clock stationed in the northeast corner of the field. The transitions from drill to drill are quick and clean, aided by the eagerness of veteran players.
Rimpf even looks the part, dressed in official Buccaneers cap, T-shirt and shorts, as is much of his veteran coaching staff.
But among the coaches, assistant coach Patrick Stevenson is marked as new by his shorts. Despite being a yellow close to Britt's own golden hue, Stevenson's shorts bear the unmistakable crested profile of the Pine Forest Trojans logo.
"I coached there three years ago when my older children went there," says Stevenson, eyeing his shorts. "Hey, they're yellow."
Stevenson has recently returned to Fayetteville from Fort Carson, Colo., after retiring from the Army.
Jeff Morehead, who is in his ninth season as an assistant with Britt, can give Stevenson the insight he needs.
"There's a box of gear in the office for the coaches," Morehead said. "You can get some shorts out of there."
- Jaclyn Shambaugh