Graceville School has hired a new head football coach. Richard Koonce will be taking on the role leading the orange and black varsity football team in 2024. Koonce spoke briefly with The Graceville News on his excitement for the new position, his welcome to Graceville, and what he hopes to bring to the Graceville Tigers football program.
Koonce grew up in Desoto County in the West Palm Beach area. While there he was the Head JV Football Coach for DeSoto County High School in Arcadia along with the head basketball coach for eight years. He moved to the North Florida area about four years ago. Since making the move he has coached at Vernon, Holmes County, and Liberty County where he was Defensive Coordinator (Vernon and Liberty County) and the Offensive and Defensive Line Coach for the Holmes County Blue Devils. When asked why he loves coaching football, Koonce answered, “The relationship with the kids and being able to see them grow and develop”.
When asked why he chose to take on this role and position, Koonce commented, “It is a great opportunity with a great community. I love this place. The hospitality here is great. The people here are great. The kids are eager to have somebody come love them and coach them. So, to me it’s a hidden gem, a diamond in the rough”.
While coaching at the other schools, Koonce stated that he has been able to see the Tigers in action noting the team has, “a lot of good athletes… they’ve always been tough.”
He went on to add, “there’s a lot of potential here”.
When asked what he feels he can bring to the Graceville football program, Koonce answered, “First and foremost discipline, organization, and structure. These kids are great athletes, but if they don’t do what they are supposed to do when they are supposed to do it, then that means nothing.” He went on to add that he also hopes to help the program, “Just to be competitive. To be a real program and have all the components that all the rest of the high schools have around here.”
Koonce is hoping to announce a date for a Spring Jamboree in May soon and will start training with the team in about two weeks. He has one daughter, a seven-year-old named Florence. Koonce finished, “I’m looking forward to working with the community and gaining the trust back from the community and hopefully the support as well.”
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