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Brewton native Ronnie Cottrell has stepped up his game by taking on the position of head football coach at a fledgling college in Gulf Breeze, Fla.
Cottrell, who played football at T.R. Miller High School back in the day, has taken on the challenge of the new college’s football leader.
Lighthouse Christian College is only in it’s second year of college education with the 2024 season being their first to dive into football.
The Makos, the school mascot, will be working to establish the team as an NAIA member playing as an independent team this season.
Cottrell moves to the Pensacola college off a 2023 State Championship win leading the Mobile Christian Academy team to the title. His 85-31 record over his nine seasons at the Mobile school puts him in good company among coaches in the region. Other feathers in Cottrell’s cap include a state championship for Godby High School in Tallahassee back in 2012. In his 24 years in a head coach position, Cottrell has racked up a 186-101 record with region championships at Kinston, Flomaton, W.S. Neal, Carroll, Alma Bryant, Chickasaw and Mobile Christian.
In a previously published interview, Cottrell said moving to the Florida college would give him an opportunity to strengthen the players on the team.
“I saw early on that this would be a very special opportunity,” Cottrell said in the interview. “I feel like I can help a lot of young men at this college. It’s a good fit for me and I can’t wait to see these guys do their thing.”
Cottrell, joined by other coaches already on staff, worked to secure players from around the region. With recruiting an on-going practice, the team is made up of players from throughout Florida and South Alabama.
Included on the roster are former local players including two from W.S. Neal High School, one from Flomaton High School and one from T.R. Miller High School.
Jaden Stuckey and Johnathan Carter, both former W.S. Neal High School players have been recruited for the Makos inaugural team. Stuckey is in at linebacker with Carter working the defensive line.
Christopher Williams, a former T.R. Miller player will be playing as a defrensive back with Akayle Dixon, a former Flomaton Hurricane, in at wide receiver for the Makos.
Cotrell’s team will have their first challenge this Saturday taking on the Jacksonville Community Christian College Moccasins. Gametime is at 2 p.m. .