WOODS CROSS — Woods Cross High lost one of the state's all-time great coaches when Fred Fernandes left the school to coach his alma mater at Roy last month.
To replace him, Woods Cross hired one of the state's all-time great players — who also happens to be returning to his alma mater.
Kitt Rawlings is the Wildcats' new football coach, and his name should be more than familiar to state high school football fans. Rawlings is one of the best running backs in state history. He is one of only two players to ever rush for more than 400 yards in a game (423 vs. Bountiful) and one of 10 to gain more than 2,000 in a season (2,192).
"We're excited," said Woods Cross athletic director Rick Winder. "We feel like we got a great one."
If Rawlings can coach the way he played, the Wildcats are in excellent hands. Rawlings had a spectacular season in 1989, leading Woods Cross to a second-place finish in 3A. He went on to play at Kansas State where he was a four-year starter. His position coach was Bob Stoops, who has been Oklahoma's head coach since 1999.
Rawlings has worked as an assistant college football coach and a pharmaceutical salesman since graduating from Kansas State. He coached at a small high school in Washington, Ridgefield, the last two seasons, helping it improve by six wins from his first year to his second.
Winder said he was thrilled to get a coach with Rawlings' name recognition after losing Fernandes. He said Woods Cross' younger teams have been strong, and that the program won't take a step back with Rawlings.
"It's tough to lose a good one, but it's nice to get a good one, too," Winder said.
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