Posted: Dec 06, 2021

Bulldog Football Names Rick Darlington New Head Football Coach

DeLand High School hires 3-time STATE CHAMPION Head Football Coach, RICK DARLINGTON

Coach Darlington comes to DeLand High from Enterprise High in Enterprise, AL. After taking over a program that posted 2-8 records in both 2017 & 2018, he led the Wildcats to the 7A playoffs in each of his 3 seasons. This year's team reached the Elite 8, led the state of Alabama in rushing, and was third in Class 7A in both scoring (41 ppg) and total offense (428 yds. Per game).

Coach Darlington's teams have earned playoff appearances 24 of his 26 years as a head coach. In his career in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, he has amassed 40 playoff victories. His career coaching record is 234-87.

Most notable is while at Apopka High School, he built a state championship program on two separate stints totaling 17 seasons:

• Record of 167-47

• 3 state championships

• 1 state runner-up

• 7 regional championships and final 4 appearances

• 30 playoff wins

• 2013 team broke the state scoring record averaging 50.1 pts per game in over 15 games.

• Offense averaged over 500 yards per game and rushed for over 6000 yards with a 2,400 yard rusher , two more 1,000 yard rushers, and 1,000 yard passer.

Between stints at Apopka, Coach Darlington was recruited to the head coaching position at prestigious and tradition rich Valdosta high school in Valdosta, GA. Those accomplishments include:

• State runner up 2003

• Georgia state coach of the year 2003

• 2 region championships

• 8 playoff wins Coach Darlington began coaching at his alma mater, Lakeland High School where he played and coached under Florida's legendary "Coach of the Century" and 400 game winner, Bill Castle.

Coach Darlington Biography:

• Stetson graduate

• Wife, Shelly of 30 years. Shelly is a former U of Oklahoma Cheerleader

• Member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes

• 7 Children:

o Ty (Former OU center and current OU coach. All Big 12 player. Former Campbell Award and Wuerffel Award winner.)

Bulldog Football Names Rick Darlington New Head Football Coach

DeLand High School hires 3-time STATE CHAMPION Head Football Coach, RICK DARLINGTON

Coach Darlington's teams have earned playoff appearances 24 of his 26 years as a head coach. In his career in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, he has amassed 40 playoff victories. His career coaching record is 234-87.

Most notable is while at Apopka High School, he built a state championship program on two separate stints totaling 17 seasons:

• Record of 167-47

• 3 state championships

• 1 state runner-up

• 7 regional championships and final 4 appearances

• 30 playoff wins

• 2013 team broke the state scoring record averaging 50.1 pts per game in over 15 games.

• Offense averaged over 500 yards per game and rushed for over 6000 yards with a 2,400 yard rusher , two more 1,000 yard rushers, and 1,000 yard passer.

Between stints at Apopka, Coach Darlington was recruited to the head coaching position at prestigious and tradition rich Valdosta high school in Valdosta, GA. Those accomplishments include:

• State runner up 2003

• Georgia state coach of the year 2003

• 2 region championships

• 8 playoff wins Coach Darlington began coaching at his alma mater, Lakeland High School where he played and coached under Florida's legendary "Coach of the Century" and 400 game winner, Bill Castle.

Coach Darlington Biography:

• Stetson graduate

• Wife, Shelly of 30 years. Shelly is a former U of Oklahoma Cheerleader

• Member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes

• 7 Children:

o Ty (Former OU center and current OU coach. All Big 12 player. Former Campbell Award and Wuerffel Award winner.)

o Zack (Former Nebraska QB)

o Molly (East Carolina Nursing Grad)

o Gracie (Women's and Music Ministry)

o Jackson (Freshman QB at the United States Air Force Academy)

o Wyatt (will be a sophomore student-athlete at DeLand High)

o Lilly (will be a freshman student-athlete at DeLand High)