Chris Rainey is stepping away from both of his coaching roles at Trinity Catholic High School, where the former Florida star and NFL player had been serving as the head track and field coach and an assistant coach in charge of the junior varsity football team.
Rainey made the announcement on social media, saying, “This was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make,” and adding, “I’m incredibly grateful for every athlete, parent, coach and person who supported me along the way. Thank you for the memories, the trust and the opportunity to be part of something I truly cared about.”
He also explained the pull that coaching had for him in the first place. “I have poured my heart, my time, my energy and everything I had into these athletes and these programs,” Rainey said.
“I came into coaching because I love the game. I love developing athletes.
I love watching a kid who may doubt themselves find confidence, push through adversity and accomplish something they once thought was impossible.
“Those are the moments that make coaching worth it.”
But Rainey said this season felt different. “This season has been different,” he said. “When you have the knowledge, experience, passion and vision to coach, but you aren’t able to coach the way you believe you should or fully utilize what you know, it becomes incredibly difficult.
“Eventually, that feeling takes away from the very thing you love.”
Rainey was working under Clinton Hart, the former NFL safety who played for the Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers and St. Louis Rams.
A standout at Lakeland High School, Rainey put together a massive senior season with nearly 2,500 rushing yards and 32 total touchdowns. He helped lead the Dreadnaughts to a third straight Florida Class 5A state championship and a second straight national championship.
Rainey also earned U.S. Army high school All-American honors and all-state recognition in Florida.
At Florida, he was part of the 2009 BCS national championship team and also ran on the winning 4x100-meter relay at the NCAA Championships.
After his college career, Rainey had multiple NFL stops before finding success in the CFL, where he finished with more than 1,000 rushing yards, more than 1,000 receiving yards and 10,000 return yards, along with 19 touchdowns.
Trinity Catholic is 3-3 and plays Williston on Friday night. Rainey is still listed as the head track and field coach, and track in Florida is a spring sport.
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