Former Head Football Coach Thomas Caporale left after eight years in the Krop football program, and a new head coach has arrived. Football Coach Vernon Wilder III, the previous coach at Carol City, has transferred over to Krop.
Before working at Carol City, Wilder coached at Keiser University. In college, he played as a four-year starter on Florida A&M’s football team, serving as team captain for three seasons. Wilder was voted onto the Mid-Eastern Athletics Conference team twice, consisting of the best players from historically black colleges in the league.
Wilder said he was attracted to the position at Krop because of the family atmosphere. He said he loves the staff and student body and plans to bring a state championship to the school soon.
Wilder’s philosophy is to “turn boys into men,” wanting to push his players to the limit. He aims to instill accountability and responsibility into the players.
“I care for the players’ success,” Wilder said. “I care deeply for each and every one of my players and want them to succeed in general, not just on the football field.”
Wilder said his focus isn’t on stats, and instead he is working on building the team’s relationship.
“The team’s attitude has changed,” junior Ken Prosper said. “At first, it was a bunch of players and we only thought about ourselves, but now with Coach Wilder, he really makes being together as a team more important.”
Wilder plans to change how home games are run. He wants more team spirit, more engagement and more support, hoping to add more “attractive” elements to home games to get more students involved. Wilder wants to get a better feel for the community and the people before he decides on what changes are going to be made.
The season was off to a rough start; however. With the team being defeated in the first two games against St. Brendan and Miami Killian.
“The coaching switch was hard for us and it was challenging,” senior and wide receiver Xayvion Quarterman said. “When we switched coaches we had to switch playbooks too. Our plays with Wilder are more complicated and harder to learn. But I like the hard work and being pushed with these more complicated plays.”
They had a fire lit under them, bringing their record up to 2-4. And, there is hope to bring home some wins in their upcoming games, including a Homecoming game against Hialeah Gardens.
“We’ll get better for sure because as a coach, especially as the head coach, I just have so much respect for him,” Prosper said. “Over time we’re going to get better because that’s what we have been doing. I know that from now on, we’re not losing.”