Last week, Opp High School Football Coach Ed Rigby announced the hiring of former Troy University graduate assistant Jimmy Godwin as the new strength and conditioning coach at Opp. 

Godwin is a Dothan native that played high school football at Rehobeth High School before walking on the football team at Troy University. Godwin went on to graduate from Troy and spent the past few years as an intern and then a graduate assistant working with Troy Football, Women’s Basketball and Softball.

“It was a great learning experience, especially working under (Troy Director of Strength and Conditioning Richard) Shaunessy,” Godwin said. “I really learned how to teach technique and learn the players strengths and weaknesses in the weight room. It taught me a lot.”

Godwin said when he started working with a training facility called Dreamchasers Sports Training, he knew he wanted to get into the coaching side of things.

“It really opened my eyes on the coaching end of strength training,” said Godwin. “I knew when I went to college I wanted to look into getting into the coaching side of it. I didn’t know if (playing) football would work out for me, so I knew I needed a backup plan.” 

Godwin said he spent a lot of time working with the women’s basketball team at Troy.

“I really spent a lot of time with them in the weight room and learning how to maneuver around basketball training and all,” he said. “It was a great experience working with everyone at Troy.”

Troy Women’s Basketball Coach Chanda Rigb’s husband, Ed Rigby,  is the head football coach at Opp and Godwin said he’s looking forward to working with him.

“He’s a great guy,” Godwin said of Rigby. “He will drop a joke on you at any moment and if I need anything healthwise he’s a great person to be around. I really look forward to working with him.” 

Godwin will serve as the strength and conditioning coach for all athletes at Opp High, male and females, as Opp Athletics Head Strength and Conditioning Coach.

“My goal is for the athletes to learn who they are as an individual and as a group and team and make sure that they’re reaching their life goals, not just on the field or in the weight room,” he emphasized.