New Father Ryan football coach Brian Rector
New Father Ryan head football coach Brian Rector.
Less than two months after resigning from Centennial High School, former state championship-winning coach Brian Rector has been named the head football coach at Father Ryan High School.
“As we went through the hiring process, it was clear that Brian was passionate, a good leader of young men and enthusiastic about doing things the right way,” said Pat Lawson, Father Ryan athletic director. “He has a proven track record and has had success at multiple programs. I think there’s a real sense of optimism.”
Rector, who led Ravenwood to a Class 5A state title in 2005, compiled a 41-20 record with Centennial, culminating with last season’s Class 5A semifinal finish — a first for the 19-year-old program. Centennial, led by Class 5A Mr. Football Lineman of the Year and Texas A&M signee Tyrel Dodson, piled up a program-best 12 wins in 2015, with both of the Cougars’ losses coming to eventual Class 5A state champion Independence.
“I think there is certainly some excitement, and the kids were definitely bright-eyed when they were looking at me,” Rector said of Monday’s introduction to the team. “It’s now time to get to know the Father Ryan community and start building towards doing something special.”
As was the case at his previous two head coaching stops at Williamson County schools Ravenwood (2004-08) and Centennial (2011-15), Rector, who also briefly served as an assistant at Western Kentucky University (2009-10), will face a similar uphill task at Father Ryan.
“If it was easy, anybody could do it,” said Rector, who has a 65-36 career record.
The Irish, coming off a 4-7 campaign, have struggled to a combined 70-102 record since 2000, and they’ve managed to post just three winning seasons in that 15-year stretch.
“I’ve never been the type of guy that’s attracted to a place where everything is perfect,” Rector said. “But in my opinion there’s an amazing foundation already set here to be able to have success. We obviously have to capitalize on the excitement and energy, and focus on getting better as a football team.”
And while Rector has experienced his fair share of rebuilding projects, his newest job presents a challenge he hasn’t faced at the high school level: Division II Class AA.
Unlike Ravenwood and Centennial, which compete in the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association’s Division I, Father Ryan is a member of Division II, comprised of private schools that are permitted to provide need-based financial aid to student-athletes.
“I guess I’m going to find out; it’s on-the-job training, right?” Rector said. “At the end of the day, coaching football is coaching football, but of course (Division II-AA) is an incredibly competitive league. I’ve heard it called the SEC of Tennessee high school football.”
Since 2010, Father Ryan, which competes in Division II-AA East/Middle along with Baylor, Brentwood Academy, Ensworth, Montgomery Bell Academy, McCallie and Pope John Paul, has posted a 9-30 record against region opponents.
“Obviously we’ve got to do a great job of developing our young men, and do a great job of putting an attractive product out there to get great young men into an institution like this,” Rector said.
Reach Michael Murphy at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.
RECTOR’S YEAR-BY-YEAR RESULTS
2004 Ravenwood 8-4
*2005 Ravenwood 14-1
2006 Ravenwood 10-5
2007 Ravenwood 4-6
2008 Ravenwood 6-5
2011 Centennial 7-5
2012 Centennial 7-5
2013 Centennial 5-5
2014 Centennial 10-3
2015 Centennial 12-2
* state championship