Rich Central turns to Speller

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New Rich Central varsity football coach Oliver Speller knows all about the soon-to-be seniors who should be the leaders for the 2009 Olympians in the fall.

“I was the offensive coordinator for them when they were freshmen in 2006 and they won the conference title,” said Speller, who succeeds Steve Tadlock (6-12 in two years) at the top of the Rich Central football coaching ladder.

“I’ve been out of coaching football the past couple of years, but I’ve stayed in close touch with these kids, trying to be a mentor to them. I’ll be their third head coach in four years, so they’ve heard a lot of different views about football.

“I have high expectations for this year’s team. We have an All-State running back in Giorgio Bowers. Our next group of juniors were sophomore conference champions. These kids are familiar with what I’ll be asked of them. They know how important it’s going to be to stay focused, be on time, have respect for the coaches and do it ‘The Olympian Way,’ as (principal) Maceo Rainey would say.”

Speller, 36, is a graduate of Kenwood Academy and Alabama A&M University. After teaching and coaching at a high school in Alabama and at South Shore, Speller spent four seasons as head coach at Westinghouse, compiling a 17-19 record and leading his team to state playoff berth in 2003.

Speller is a biology teacher at the Olympia Fields school.

“It’s May, and we have a lot of work to do,” Speller said.

Speller prides himself in being a “family guy,” and loyal south suburban resident. His wife, Junelle, was his high school sweetheart and is a graduate of Yale University. They have three children: Olivia, 7, Sophia, 3, and Gabrielle, 2.