Montford Middle

2026 MONTFORD FOOTBALL

COACHING & SUPPORT STAFF

KEITH COTTRELL     

HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

Coach Cottrell enters his fifth season as the head coach of the Mustangs in 2026 and also serves as the Montford Athletic Director.

After playing 3 sports in high school and earning 1^st team All-Central Florida honors as a quarterback, he signed with Florida State. Following a 4-year stint at punter, he signed as a free agent with the Detroit Lions.

A graduate assistantship for Coach Bowden at Florida State developed a love for coaching and a career that has spanned 22 years. Coach Cottrell has coached at 3 high schools in Florida & South Carolina both as a Head Baseball Coach and Head Football Coach. As a teacher, he spent most of his career teaching American Government & Economics.

Off the field, he is the proud father of twin girls, Merritt & Grace. He enjoys cooking, exercising & woodworking. He values faith, friends and every moment he can spend with his daughters.

DAYNE READ

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR/SECONDARY

Coach Read begins his 3^rd season on the Montford Staff and moves into the Defensive Coordinator role and coaching the secondary. He has also coaches running backs for the Mustangs.

 A two sport all state stand out at Tallahassee’s North Florida Christian, he was the 1A State Player of the Year and 3 time All- Big Bend selection, playing on both sides of the ball. Upon graduation, he turned down several high profile football offers to play  baseball at powerhouse Chipola Junior College. After Chipola , he played 3 years  in the Cincinnati Reds organization, reaching as high as the Triple-A level.

An accomplished baseball coach, Coach Read is an executive in a non-profit business. Off the field, he enjoys hunting, fishing, fitness and being a father to his son, DJ.

BERT GIVENS

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR/QUARTERBACKS & RECEIVERS

Coach Givens will enter his 4th season on the Montford Staff in 2025. He will coordinate the offense, coach quarterbacks and receivers.

 A 4 year starter at both quarterback and shortstop at Tallahassee Chiles, Coach Givens was an All-Big Bend player and an elite athlete in the north Florida sports landscape. A tough, savvy signal caller, he owns 13 offensive records on the gridiron for the Timberwolves. After leading his team to the state finals in baseball, Coach Givens played baseball at both Chipola Junior College and Troy University. Coach Givens comes from a coaching family, where his father Steve was the Head Baseball Coach at North Florida Community College and Athletic Director at Chipola and his sister, Rachel, was a cross country runner at Auburn.

Since graduating from Florida State with a law degree, he has served his community as a prosecutor for the State’s Attorneys office in both Leon and Jefferson Counties.

CODY LEDFORD

DEFENSIVE LINE/RUNNING BACKS

Coach Cody Ledford is in his 2^nd season with the Mustangs in 2025. He will lead the defensive line and oversee the running backs on offense.

 A 4 year starter at North Florida Christian, he still holds the school record for tackles with over 500. He was named the 1A Florida Dairy Farmer’s Player of the Year as a senior. He signed with Tulane University after high school and led the Green Wave until a knee injury ended his career.

A logistics executive in construction, he is the proud father of 2 current Mustang athletes, volleyballs Aniston and Ila and future soccer player, Lennox.

TALLON CAMPBELL

LINEBACKERS

Coach Campbell begins his 5^th season coaching and 3^rd season with Montford in 2025, where he will be responsible for the linebackers.

 A graduate of Cheraw High in South Carolina, he was a 4-year starter at linebacker for Limestone College where he earned a degree in Information Security Systems and a Masters in Health Informatics. On campus at Montford, he teaches 6 classes of

Off the field, Coach Campbell can be found spending time with his wife, Madison.

SUPPORT STAFF

FRED THOMPSON

VIDEO COORDINATOR

Coach Fred Thompson oversees all aspects of game film acquisition for the program. This invaluable job is done as a volunteer from a generous fellow coach.

 An 18 year veteran of the Montford faculty, he has served as the head coach of 4 sports during his time as a Mustang, including 4 county championships as the head football coach. Currently he serves as the Head Boys Basketball coach. He is an incredible resource and support to Coach Cottrell with his experience and care for students.

A well-respected member of the Big Bend coaching community, Coach Thompson is a college and high school basketball official in the free time he finds. He has one son, future Mustang Trey.

DAVE WESTBERRY

PUBLIC ADDRESS ANNOUNCER

 Dave Westberry will be in his 5^th season as the public address announcer for Montford in 2025. In his other job, he will be in his 42^nd  season as the Doak Campbell Voice of the Florida State University Marching Chiefs.

Dave, alongside his spotter and wife Janey, brings a professional voice to the games, making the game experience better and allowing parents to hear their players names. The Westberry’s serve our boys in selfless and unseen ways, coming alongside in support of the mission to grow boys into young men through football.

Dr. RAYMOND COTTRELL

TEAM DOCTOR

Dr. Raymond Cottrell is in his 5^th year as the team doctor for the Mustangs. A physician for 43 years in both Orlando and Tallahassee, he has been the team doctor for 2 different high schools as well as Team Specialist for Florida State Football.

A long time Seminole Athletics supporter, you can find “Doc” at a Noles game, being involved in his church, playing golf or spoiling his granddaughters beyond what is reasonable.

MONTFORD FOOTBALL PROGRAM

 “DIRTY DOZEN” SUMMER CONDITIONING

All workouts are voluntary. Participation in summer workouts does not guarantee any player with a spot on the final fall roster. All players must participate in fall tryouts prior to school starting to earn a spot on the team.    

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WHO: All rising 6^th, 7^th & 8^th grade students zoned for Montford Middle School interested in trying out for the Montford Football Team in 2026.  Homeschool students are welcome once their paperwork has been submitted to the Homeschool office and they have been cleared in Aktivate.

WHAT: Weight lifting and conditioning sessions to prepare for upcoming fall football tryouts.

WHERE: Montford gym weight room and football fields.

WHEN: Workouts will be Monday, Tuesday & Thursday mornings beginning at 8:30 and ending at 10:45 am. Students should arrive no earlier than 8:15 am and be picked up no later than 15 minutes following the conclusion of the day.

HOW: Workouts that include lifts and conditioning. Supervised instruction will be provided to teach proper form and safety on basic weight lifting movements that develop total body strength & power.  Agility field drills that develop specific conditioning components will be at the core of the program.

WHY: To put each potential team member in the best possible physical and mental shape for tryouts.

WORKOUT DATES:

Week 1: June 22, 23 & 25                                     Week 3: July 6, 7 & 9.                                                                  

Week 2: June 29, 30 & July 2                                Week 4: July 13, 14 & 16                                                                                                                                                                           

ELIGIBILTY: All players are required by Leon County Schools to be fully cleared in the Aktivate Athlete Registration Platform BEFORE a student may participate.

Aktivate Information & Link can be found on the Montford Athletics Website. Paperwork should be scanned and uploaded to the Aktivate Portal System.

DRESS: Athletic shorts, t-shirt, tennis shoes, cleats and a personal water bottle are required at each practice. Water and ice will be provided by the program.

2026 MONTFORD FOOTBALL CAMP

This 3-day football camp will take a holistic approach to teaching the fundamentals of the game on offense, defense and special teams. Players will have the opportunity to learn terminology, safety and technique at multiple position to aid in their development. In addition to on the field instruction and terminology, basic weightlifting fundamentals will be taught through body weight exercises. This camp is led by Montford Head Football Coach Keith Cottrell and the current coaching staff.

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WHO: All rising 6^th, 7^th & 8^th graders interested in football.

WHERE:  Montford Middle School Football Fields.

WHEN: Monday, July 20th through Wednesday, July 22nd.

TIME: 8:30 am- 12:15 pm.

COST: $125 per camper. This includes, instruction and a camp t-shirt. Per Leon County Schools policy, only check or money orders are accepted. Checks can be made out to Montford Middle School.

EQUIPMENT: Each camper needs to come prepared with athletic shorts, t-shirt, tennis shoes, cleats and with their own water bottle. This is a non-contact camp. Helmets and shoulder pads will not be utilized.

ELIGIBILITY:  All campers must be fully cleared with all forms and electronic signatures in the Aktivate athlete registration platform. Information and links to complete can be found on the Montford Athletics Website.

Fall 2026 Football Tryout Schedule & Eligibility Information

1. Each player must be fully cleared in the Aktivate system prior to being permitted to participate in any way.      
2. Each student must have a minimum 2.0 grade point average in the previous semester to be eligible. Incoming 6^th grade students are all eligible.               
3. All students are required to wear athletic shorts, t-shirt & cleats each day for July 27-29.                    
4. Students should be on site at the Montford football practice fields and prepared to begin 15 minutes prior to their start time in order to be checked in.  Students arriving late will not participate that day.
5. All students must attend and participate in tryouts in order to be considered for the team.
6. Water will be provided, but students are strongly encouraged to bring their own water bottle.
7. All equipment for padded practices will be provided except unders, socks and cleats. Issued equipment will be collected from all who tried out on the last day of tryouts. Those who make the final roster will have equipment reissued.

Tryout Schedule

Skill = QB, RB, WR, DB, K             Box Players = OL, DL, FB, LB

Monday July 27               5:45-6:50 -Skill. 6:55-8:00 Box Players *Shorts & Helmets Only*   

Tuesday, July 28            5:45-6:50 -Skill. 6:55-8:00 Box Players *Shorts & Helmets Only*  

Wednesday, July 29      5:45-6:50 -Skill. 6:55-8:00 Box Players  Shells only                                  

Thursday, July 30          5:45-7:45 - All Players. Full Pads.                                                                  

Friday, July 31                 5:45-7:45-  All Players. Full Pads.

Team Roster will be posted to the Montford Football website after the coaching staff meets to make cuts. This could be Thursday evening or Friday evening, based upon whether or not weather has caused disruption and the staff feels that a full evaluation has been completed.

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Monday, August 3^rd:  Team Practices begin with normal schedule. Full Pads.                              

1. Inclement Weather is very likely during this time. Tryouts will be “on” unless the Leon County Schools Weather Alert requires students to stay indoors. In this circumstance, the gym will be utilized.

2. As a result of STATE LAW enacted in 2024, all school gates will remain locked while students are on campus. This law prohibits parents from attending or viewing tryouts inside the campus perimeter.                                                                                                                                                                 
3. A mandatory parent meeting for all families that make the final roster will be held in the Montford Cafeteria from 6:30-7:30 on Friday, August 7^th.

 2026 PARENT & PLAYER FOOTBALL TRYOUT

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

These questions and answers are provided as a courtesy from coaches who are parents themselves to other parents. The sole intention is to inform those new to the sport, school, and program.  They are not up for debate or discussion. Those who may possibly disagree or be displeased should strongly consider their future participation choices as these will be in place until the administration sees fit to make any change in the program.

LOGISTICAL QUESTIONS

Why are we not in full pads the first 3 days?

The State of Florida & Leon County Schools require 3 days at the start of the football season be held with only helmets, progressing to shoulder pads and no pants. This rule is in place to ensure that during the hottest part of the year, students are given an opportunity to acclimate to the heat and humidity as well as for coaches to instruct safe technique prior to pads going on.

Why are we trying out at night?

Leon County Schools partners with WeatherSTEM weather service to monitor for safety. When the heat index reaches 100 degrees, all sports coaches are alerted via text message of a time frame where outdoor activities are prohibited. Additionally, lightning strikes within 10 miles of campus bring the same prohibition. In our area and at this point on the calendar, afternoons bring these two scenarios almost daily.

With approval of the County Athletic Director, beginning at 6pm will reduce heat & weather issues, giving all involved the most schedule stability and reduced interruptions.This also gives parents who work more of an opportunity to bring their child without missing work.

Why are there two groups for tryouts?

With tryout numbers increasing annually and an expectation they enter triple digits, breaking the players into two groups, “perimeter skill” and “in the box” players, allow for each group to minimize wasted time while the other is being evaluated.Two groups allow for more repetitions, with all 6 members of the coaching staff being able to evaluate in multiple skill specific drills to give the clearest picture of each player’s abilities.

Why does this not look like a regular football practice? Why are they not “coaching” a lot?

Tryouts are to evaluate potential players for the fall roster. Shorts do not give the whole picture on any one player as blocking, tackling, and physical contact cannot be seen. The tryout week will be structured around seeing what physical, emotional and mental traits, characteristics, and abilities each player have. Coaches will be teaching technique, but no schemes will be installed during this week. Each day will be vital but the two days in pads will be of utmost importance for players to prove their mettle. Football is hard.  Football is tough. Everything changes when pads go on.

Can my student use their own equipment?

Yes, this is encouraged. Students may use personal mouthpieces, girdles, white pants & shoulder pads as long as they have been cleared before use by the coaching staff who is responsible for safety.

All helmets will be issued by Leon County and Montford Middle school.

ROSTER SELECTION

What are we looking for in selecting players?

Physical abilities:

• Strength
• Size
• Speed
• Footwork
• Handwork
• Body control
• Agility
• Toughness.

Mental abilities:

• Does the player have to be told the same thing over and over?
• Can the player apply instruction to their play quickly and consistently?
• Can the player focus regularly?
• Does the player have discipline on the field?
• Can the player absorb technique/scheme concepts and apply them to their play?
• Can the player handle being coached?

Emotional Ability:

• Is this player someone we want representing all involved in our program?
• Is this player more focused on themselves or the larger group?
• Is this player interested in being held to a standard of behavior? 
• Can this player speak for themselves or are they reliant on others to “do it for them”?
• Is this player interested in being developed on and off the field or are they more of a showcase mindset?
• Does this player demonstrate work ethic and a willingness to be coached?
• Does this player demonstrate manners and a willingness to serve others or do they feel that they are owed and demonstrate a mindset of entitlement?
• Is this player personally responsible for what they say and do or do they finger point?
• How does this player handle the “highs” and the “lows” that come?
• Players that fully buy into the culture we have.

What are we not considering?

• Previous athletic accomplishments, awards, honors, or participation in any sport.
• Name, familiarity, or previous knowledge of anyone in the program.
• Players or families that are focused on individual goals only or who prove to be disruptive or not represent the program well at all times, in all ways.
• Those who believe the program should work for them and their needs and not that they are a part of something larger than themselves.
• People who are worried about personal stats and recognition.
• The opinion of anyone not on staff or outside the program, regardless of “expertise” level.

What is the difference in building a roster versus keeping the best athletes?

Leon County Schools places a maximum number of 50 players that any middle school can keep on their roster. For context, college football has 85 scholarship players and 30 walk-ons. Coaching staffs can keep any number, up to that 50 limit. At a 2:1 ratio, there will be more “skill” players than “lineman” tryout. With 11 on offense & defense we start with 22 and backups for each immediately put us at 44 before specialists are placed on a roster. Versatility of a player becomes a premium attribute immediately. The inevitability of injuries, suspensions, etc. must be considered when building this depth. The final roster will not be the best athletes with which to build a team. The final roster will be compromised of the players that give the team the best chance to have depth and versatility at each position.

My child only wants to tryout for X position, why are they being moved around during tryouts?

With the above-mentioned versatility being paramount, players who can productively play multiple positions are of the highest value to a small roster team. At no time will a single skill set be the determinant of making the roster.  For example, “my son has a strong arm, he should play quarterback”. Far, far more goes into playing that position that ability to throw a football. “My son can really run fast; he should be a wide receiver” is not a valid ideology for team strategy.  To steal from baseball, “nobody cares how hard you throw ball four, you have to be able to pitch.”

If a coach sees that a player does not have the requisite talent to play a position they wish to try out for, that player will be moved to evaluate them at other position to meet the stated goal of the  best football players.

PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTIONS

“6^th graders probably don’t get kept, that’s what I’ve heard online and I think that will happen. My player won’t get a fair shake.”

It is always best to believe only what you have heard from the program, directly. There is no set number of players from each grade level that will be rostered. There is an equal eye to the future as there is for fielding the best team possible today.The factors listed above will be the same for all players.

“Why will the coaching staff not respond to me until they speak with my son first?”

There is no desire to “hide” from a parent. The level of experience both playing and coaching for this staff brings with it the ability to not be intimidated by a parent. The policy of speaking with a player first on any issue related to tryouts is for the personal skill development of the student. Shaking hands, looking adults in the eye, and being able to hold a conversation with an adult are skills that are required in life and we are in education as a career, this is what we do daily. Secondarily, we coach kids and work with kids. We will speak with a parent after we have spoken to the player first for these reasons.

Final roster decisions are not up for discussion and are the total purview of the coaching staff as a whole.

What do you mean we can’t miss tryouts/practice to come and go as we want? We are on 3 travel teams at the same time!

Part of team sports in the school environment is teaching the bigger picture lessons of life. Commitment to something larger than oneself is a key cornerstone of football and the program we are building. This is not travel ball, recreational ball, or any other type of “pay for play”. Each player is to be at tryouts, for their own full opportunity to compete, but more so to show commitment and that the team comes first, not their own priorities.

How is this NOT like pay for play travel teams?

In school ball, there is no fee to participate.The coaches receive no financial compensation from families to give of their time and experience to help our students. Roster status and time on the field is not in any way purchased or influenced. No player or parent “has their hooks into a coach”.

All are equal, in all ways. Everything is earned. By all. There is no other team to quit and jump to if one family doesn’t see their own dreams realized. This is not a “come and go as we please” situation.

Families expect full commitment from the program.The program expects the same from families.

MONTFORD FOOTBALL EQUIPMENT

Helpful hints for players & parents interested in trying out.

Montford Equipment Required To Be Worn

• Helmets. (Players may not provide their own helmet. All players will be fitted for a helmet provided by Leon County Schools).
• Practice Jerseys.
• Game Jerseys.

Equipment Montford Provides That May Also Be Supplied By The Player

Should a player provide any piece of equipment themselves, it is required to be checked and approved for safety by the football staff.

• Shoulder Pads
• Mouthpieces
• Knee Pads/Hips Pads/Thigh Pads/Butt Pads
• Practice pants (must be white if player provided).
• Chinstraps.

Equipment That is Not Allowed To Be Worn

• Visor shields.
• Any personalized “swag” items.
• Cleats that are not black or white.

Recommended But Not Required

• Girdles -Available locally at B & B Sports

Montford has a VERY limited number of girdles. When they are out, they are out and the county will not be providing additional inventory. They are not required as pads can be fit to pants within the pockets inside, but they are a significant comfort for players and more sanitary.

• Compression shirt or Padded Compression shirt.

These shirts are extremely beneficial to the athlete wearing shoulder pads.The dri-fit material helps keep body temperature lower and the material does not chafe or rash the skin under should pads the way that a cotton shirt does. Full cotton t-shirts trap heat in the hottest time of the year, bunch and can rub skin raw when sweat through.

Have an equipment question not answered? Email mmsathletics@leonschools.net.