By Derrick Smith

Brent Marley is in his sixth season as the head football coach of the Rejoice Christian Eagles. Counting his entire career, he has been at it for twenty years. When he finally made the decision to get into coaching, he says that he had known for quite a while that he was going to coach. 

“I went into coaching because I ultimately really felt the Lord calling me into it,” he stated. “At a young age, I was so influenced by my coaches, some good and some bad. Noticing how influenced I was by my coaches showed me the opportunity that coaching would give me to help mentor and mold young people that are establishing character foundations at that stage in their lives.”

While there were coaches in his past that were impactful, he says that he has some that are still part of his life today and still playing an influential role.

“There are numerous coaches that had or are playing a role in my life,” coach Marley said. “Ron McHenry, Bob Craig, Rick Jones, Gary Rose, Darren Melton, Jim Cherry, and multiple assistant coaches on our staff over the years have played an important part in helping me become the coach that I am today.”

With a coaching career that spans multiple decades, it is no surprise that Marley finds it difficult to narrow down his one favorite memory.

“There have been many highlight moments during my years of coaching,” he said. “I love when former players come to our games at Rejoice and having lunch with them sometimes. I enjoy the relationships I have built with former and current coaches. As a coach, seeing your players reach out to opponents after a contest to pray with them is a really great moment. Winning district titles in 2007, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2018, 2019, and 2021 and just the people I have met along the journey. I am thankful for each one of them.”

Though the wins are great and the losses are tough, coach Marley says that there is something that is more important than what happens on the field.

“One of the best things about being a coach is developing boys into outstanding young men,” he said. “Building relationships with the players and seeing them progress as young men and athletes as they work the process over the years.”