Camp Confidential: Ocoee Knights have depth, experience on coaching staff

WEST ORANGE — The task of turning around Ocoee High’s football program is not the job of just one man, as was clear as the Knights continued along with their fall camp last week.

Although new head coach Ben Bullock is the face of the program, Ocoee’s head man has assembled a dynamic staff heading into his debut season on the Knights’ sideline. With that staff, Bullock is able to keep more players involved during practice sessions.

“It’s very important,” Bullock said of having a quality coach staff. “To make sure we’re getting the most (out of practice), you have to have great assistant coaches who can go off on their own.”

Not only does Bullock have assistant coaches he trusts enough to go into individual position stations, but also the Knights have a number of coaches with credibility easily recognized by players.

Jason Boltus, the team’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, is a current quarterback for the Arena Football League’s Tampa Bay Storm and previously played for the Orlando Predators and in the Canadian Football League. Boltus’ accomplishments as a professional are more impressive considering he played college for Division III Hartwick.

“He’s a guy that can show the guys like, ‘Listen, I’ve been there,’” Bullock said.

Nick Waisome has joined the staff to help work with defensive backs after concluding his career with the Florida State Seminoles, a stint that saw him win a national championship with the ‘Noles in 2013.

“Nick is a great asset to us,” Bullock said.

Also joining Bullock, among several others, is defensive coach Terrance Larmond, who came over with Bullock from Mount Dora. Larmond has a long history of coaching high-level defensive backs, including Waisome while he was at South Lake High School, and is another quality assistant on a staff that also includes some Ocoee alumni.

For Bullock, planning not only includes consideration for how to develop the players but also the program’s newer coaches.

“It’s a big part of being a head coach — trying to assemble that staff,” Bullock said.