Ravenwood football’s first-year coach Ricky Rodriguez thought it was a bit strange as he and three Raptors football players were ushered out to the field at Nissan Stadium just after Ravenwood completed its obligations at the 2025 Tennessee Titans high school football media day on July 17.

When the tunnel doors opened to the stadium, Rodriguez walked out on the field and glanced at the Titans’ video board and realized just how unique the moment was. Rodriguez was honored by the Titans as the 2025 Flag Football Coach of the Year.

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“That’s incredible,” Rodriguez said as he dipped his head and held his hand to his heart. “Thank you guys so much. What you guys have done for the sport across the state, words can’t describe it.”

Rodriguez’s Lady Raptors captured the inaugural TSSAA flag football invitational title, beating Stone Memorial, 34-14, in the championship game on May 8. Ravenwood will receive a $2,500 grant for its flag football program through the Tennessee Titans Foundation.

“I just thought it was just taking a picture with the boys,” Rodriguez said about being caught by surprise with the gesture. “I mean this is … I’m really speechless right now. The sacrifices my wife has made and relocation my entire life − 2,500 miles away − to get an experience like this and be able to share it with my girls on the flag team … this is special.”

Rodriguez, a Oakland, California, native who was hired on the football staff by Will Hester, will begin his first year at the helm of the football program after completing his second season as the school’s flag football coach this past spring with a 22-2 record and a No. 22 national ranking by the USA TODAY Sports Super 25.

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The sport was fully sanctioned on June 10 and is set for its official TSSAA season in the spring of 2026 with its first state championship next May.

“I’m blessed,” said Rodriguez, who was named Ravenwood’s football coach after Hester’s resignation in April. “I can’t thank the Titans enough and the girls I get the privilege to coach every day.”

Reach sports writer George Robinson at georgerobinsontheleafchronicle.com and on the X platform (formerly Twitter) @Cville_Sports.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Titans name Ravenwood’s Ricky Rodriguez flag football coach of the year