Chuck Daniel will return to the sidelines and serve as Creek Wood’s interim coach
Creek Wood didn’t have to wait long to find out who it’s new head football coach would be.
Well, at least for the upcoming season.
Red Hawks Athletic Director Chuck Daniel was announced as the interim coach Thursday afternoon after the departure of Justin Palmer was made official a couple of hours prior. Daniel decided to throw his name out there as the short-term replacement for Palmer due to dead period almost being over and the Red Hawks beginning practice Monday.
“I met with our administration at Creek Wood, and because of the timing, they thought that would be the best direction to go in. I’ve done it a long time, and they felt comfortable with me just being there for the kids. I’ve never lost my passion to coach. I’m just excited for the opportunity to do it again and be with the kids,” said Daniel.
Daniel served as the Red Hawks head coach for 11 years prior to the hiring of Palmer. He has an overall record of 57-72. He’s reached the playoffs six times during his coaching stint, only making it past the first round once. He stepped down after 11 seasons as the head coach to concentrate solely on his athletic director duties while wanting to spend more time with his family.
However, with the season just weeks away, Daniel has been called back into action to help lead the Red Hawks in the fall. The familiarity he has with the program and the athletes he has been around for so long should be helpful in making the transition.
“Most of these kids I’ve coached before, and most of them know me,” said Daniel.
“The incoming freshman, obviously I haven’t had a chance to work with them, but I’ve seen them play and kept up with them. I want to bring a familiar face and let them know everything’s going to be ok. The game and the kids are a lot more important than whatever coach is standing up in front of them. I just want to be there and try to give them every chance in the world to be successful.”
Daniel believes that the best way to forget all of the off-the-field action that has been going on lately is to just get back to work, as he says he wants to make sure that it’s business as usual when the Red Hawks take the practice field next week.
“If you keep everyone active, they’ll forget and coaches will forget. They’re going to be so busy trying to improve themselves,” said Daniel
They’ve got a comfort level right now, and I’m capable of learning what they’ve been doing. I just want to make this as smooth as possible for the kids. They know how much I care about them, and that’s not going to change. We’re going to roll on Monday.”
Reach Andy Simmons on Twitter @AndyDHTN
