By Bill Prentice, RepMax Media

In the storied halls of Wilson High School, a palpable energy surges through the athletic department. The source? New head football coach Raudric Curtis, whose arrival signals what many believe will be a transformative chapter for the Bruins program.

“Wilson is primed for sustained success and I’m here to take the Bruins to the next level,” declares Curtis, whose commanding presence and clear vision have already made an impression on players and faculty alike.

Selected from an impressive pool of several applicants, Curtis brings a championship pedigree to Long Beach. His most recent stint as Associate Head Coach and Assistant Defensive Coordinator at Mayfair High School resulted in a CIF-SS championship and a run to the CIF State Finals. This success follows head coaching positions at Bosco Tech (2018-2022) and an extended tenure at his alma mater, Bellflower High School (2005-2017).

BUILDING ON MOMENTUM

Curtis inherits a program with solid foundations. Last season, the Bruins posted a respectable 9-5 record, finished fourth in the competitive Moore League, and advanced to the Division 9 championship game. But for Curtis, this is just the beginning.

“I am honored to take over Long Beach Wilson’s Football Program with proven experience of success and a clear objective: to build high character fearless student-athletes that are bought into Championship Culture,” Curtis explains. “Wilson has a strong foundation left by the previous staff and we are leveraging a wealth of experienced staff and returning talent to elevate this program to even greater heights.”

A PHILOSOPHY OF FEARLESSNESS

What sets Curtis apart is not just his record, but his philosophy. A psychology graduate of Pitzer College who played collegiately at Pomona-Pitzer, Curtis has developed a coaching approach that blends tactical innovation with character development.

“I played without fear and I coach without fear and I expect my players to live the same way; to strive for their most ambitious goals with dedication and perseverance,” says Curtis, whose mantra—”Confidence is forged through preparation. Dominance is earned from discipline. Victory belongs to the fearless”—encapsulates his approach.

This fearlessness will be channeled into what Curtis describes as an “explosive” offense designed to get playmakers in space. Notably, he plans to incorporate elements of the Go-Go Offense that has gained prominence at UNLV, adapting it for the high school level with what he playfully calls the “GoGoBruins” system.

DEFENSIVE IDENTITY

While the offensive innovations will attract attention, Curtis emphasizes that Wilson’s identity will be anchored by a “relentless” defensive approach.

“Our backbone will be a stalwart defense,” he asserts, drawing on his experience as a defensive coordinator. This balanced approach—explosive offense complemented by stifling defense—reflects Curtis’s comprehensive vision for program development.

BEYOND THE FIELD

Curtis’s impact promises to extend beyond game day. As host of the Championship Culture Podcast and a self-described education specialist and history teacher, he brings a holistic perspective to player development.

His motto—”faith through adversity breeds championship spirit”—speaks to his belief that football serves as a vehicle for character building and life preparation. It’s an approach that resonates in Long Beach, where Curtis has worked for the city and understands the community’s values.

A SHIFTING LANDSCAPE

Curtis arrives at a pivotal moment for Moore League football. “It’s a new era in Moore League; old power-houses have fallen, there’s new leadership across the conference,” he observes. His declaration that “Long Beach Wilson will back down to no one” serves notice that the Bruins aim to capitalize on this period of transition.

For Wilson High School, the Curtis era represents both continuity and evolution—respecting the program’s traditions while embracing innovative approaches to elevate performance. As spring practice approaches, anticipation builds for what promises to be an exciting new chapter in Bruins football.

“We’re going to develop and attract the greatest talent into skilled ability counting on selfless player-led culture, innovation and creativity,” Curtis promises. For Bruins fans, those words offer hope that championship celebrations may soon return to Long Beach Wilson.