Bolivar promotes defensive coordinator Montrell Craft to head coach

Bolivar didn't have to look far to find its new head football coach as the administration promoted defensive coordinator Montrell Craft to the position.

“It was always a long-time dream of mine to be a high school head coach,” Craft said. “Those are the guys that get to mold young men, and being at Bolivar, it felt like home. Since day one, when I went out and they were scrimmaging Liberty, they have welcomed me with open arms.

“This is a group of young men that believe in me like I believe in them.”

Craft has been the defensive coordinator for one season at Bolivar after moving from Bartlett. He spent six years as an assistant coach at Bartlett.

Craft believes that the transition will be an easy one. 

“I already have those relationships built and trust with the young men,” Craft said. “It was really fluent, and we got a lot better this spring.”

He replaces Woodrow Lowe Jr., who resigned in mid-April to become the new defensive coordinator at Lausanne.

“One thing that Coach Lowe opened my mind to was how organized that he was,” Craft said. “Everything had a particular purpose, and there was never any wasted time. He was a teacher to not only the players but also the coaches from workouts to time management in games.”

Bolivar is coming off a 2-8 season in 2018, but the Tigers were 6-5 in 2017, making the Class 3A state playoffs.

Bolivar opens the 2019 season on the road against Freedom Prep on Aug. 23, and the Tigers play six of their 10 games on the road.

Reach Michael Odom at michodom@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9754. Follow him on Twitter @JSWriterMichael.

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