Bell takes over Jeff Davis football

Quarterback Chase Ford and the Jeff Davis Volunteers has a new head coach in Rory Bell, who was officially named to he position last week. (Gordon Ward)

By GRAHAM DUNN

Jeff Davis High School has a new football coach.

In fact, the program has had two this summer.

Louisiana native Rory Bell was named the Volunteers’ new head coach last week after another coach had been originally set to take over for Lee Carter.

Carter resigned last season after seven years at the helm.

“It’s my first opportunity to be a head coach and I couldn’t be more excited,” Bell said. “We’ve got a lot to do in a short period of time but I like what I see so far.”

Ronald Adams had been an assistant under Carter and became the de facto head coach midway through the 2019 season. But he learned recently that he would not be the head coach after a change in the prinicipal’s position at the school.

“It was surprise, I’ll admit, but I’m still going to be here and coach the offense,” Adams said. “Coach Bell is a good guy and should do well here.”

Bell played college football at Delta State and has been an assistant at the college level, most recently at North Alabama where he learned about the talent at Jeff Davis when recruiting the area.

“I knew about Jeff Davis when I came here and saw so much athleticism. They always had them and I’ve already noticed that with this group,” Bell said.

Bell has been an assistant at several high schools in Louisiana, mostly in the New Orleans area, for the last 12 years but had been in the market for a head coaching position.

“Last 5-6 years I felt like I was ready to be a head coach,” Bell said. “I threw my resume out there several times, somebody would call me but I didn’t get chosen, and I felt like it was good practice. I did the same thing this past spring. I remembered recruiting Jeff Davis - saw it online, applied and was excited to get the job.”

Despite the situation with COVID-19, Bell is still learning about his players as best he can. He said workouts have been brisk but implementing his plans would take time.

“Honestly, the group is very undisciplined,” Bell admitted. “I would say that’s the bad side but the good part is the kids are receptive and they make progress daily. That’s the bright spot. The attitude is great. We are working as best we can under the conditions.”

The season begins in less than a month but Bell will not spend too much time scouting opponents, at least not yet.

“I’ve looked at a little film, looked at opponents,” he said. “We are not going to put a lot of time on that. We just want to get better. My whole focus is to make our team better. I want other teams to play to try to catch us.”

Jeff Davis opens the season on Thursday, Aug. 20 against Sidney Lanier. The game will be played at Hornet Stadium on the campus of Alabama State.