Clarkdale has its new head football coach.

 

Rob Roberts was named the new head coach of the Bulldogs the school announced on Friday morning.

Roberts comes from Newton County where he spent the last six seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Cougars.

 

“I’m just excited and thankful for the opportunity. It’s a great school with great community support. Hopefully we can get better each day both on and off the field. I just want to help make the kids high school experience the be the best it can possibly be,” Roberts said. “It’s about the kids, they come first, they are the ones putting in the work and going out and playing the games. I’ve spoke with all the coaches over the phone, they all seem like great guys. I believe they have done a great job holding things together during this transition. I can’t wait to get over there Monday and get to work with the kids and alongside the coaches that are there.”

 

Newton County made the playoffs every season with Roberts as the offensive coordinator. In 2024 the Cougars went 2-8 and reached the first round of the MHSAA Class 4A playoffs. Last season was the first time in Roberts tenure that Cougars didn’t reach at least the second round of playoffs.

 

“Offensive scheme will be what best fits the kids but it will be modern. In past at NC we have been heavy RPO. This past season we had to run our QB a lot so we installed a good bit of read option. But at the end of the day we will do what gives us the best chance to compete, especially in year one,” Roberts said. “Defensively I just expect the kids to know their assignments, run to the football with a relentless effort, be physical and wrap up. At Newton County we have made the playoffs every year. This past season was the first season we didn’t make it to at least the second round. I really enjoyed working at Newton County. It’s a great place, the players always played hard and coaches are great people to be around.”

 

Prior to being at Newton County, Roberts was the linebackers coach at Pearl for one year, defensive coordinator at Newton for one year, and was at Newton County Academy for seven seasons as an assistant coach under his father Rob Roberts where they guided the Generals to the MAIS Class 3A state championship in 2013.

 

“I was with my dad for a total of 7 seasons. We won a lot of games together and turned that program around. I coordinated both sides of the ball there at different times, It was a fun time, he is a great man and I owe so much to him,” Roberts said. “I’ve been blessed to work with and for some great coaches”

 

Roberts takes over from Will Vollor, who resigned back in January. In 2024 Clarkdale went 3-8 and reached the first round of the MHSAA Class 2A playoffs.