Rod Sink, the career behind-the-scenes assistant coach, is now ready to be the front man for Wakefield's football team.
"We don't get any better in whatever job we do if we're not challenging ourselves," Sink said. "I wanted to take a bigger role and experience what it's like to be the leader for both the players and the coaching staff."
Sink was named the head coach of the Wolverines on Tuesday. And after eight seasons learning from other coaches, he spoke with excitement regarding the team's future.
After all, everyone in the community knew this was the job Sink dreamed of having.
"Wakefield has been very endearing to me," he said. "I couldn't imagine being at another school."
Sink was given the opportunity after former coach J.D. Dinwiddie resigned on Jan. 4. Dinwiddie was named head coach at North Henderson High in Hendersonville a week later.
But moments after Dinwiddie made his decision to resign, he wanted to speak with Sink, his offensive coordinator for the past four years. In that small amount of time before the news reached the Wolverines, Dinwiddie gave Sink a message: "You need to apply."
"I felt that was the right thing to do," Dinwiddie said. "Somebody gave me a chance, and I wanted to do the same for him."
Sink took the advice.
Potent offense
In his time as a coordinator, he helped shape the Wolverines offense into one of the most potent in the Triangle. The Wolverines averaged 46 points a game last year.
When the opportunity arose, Sink said he was inspired to be the next coach. He had learned plenty from Dinwiddie.
"We developed the offense together, and he always called me his right-hand man," Sink said. "I was there every step of the way."
Wakefield was 10-2 in 2011. The Wolverines reached the second round of the 4-AA NCHSAA playoffs in 2010.
The Wolverines are expected to be among the top teams in the area next season with the return of highly recruited quarterback Connor Mitch, who will be the best returning quarterback in the Triangle. Mitch passed for more than 3,800 yards last year.
When Mitch learned of Sink's hire, he displayed his excitement on his Twitter account: "Coach Sink is our head coach!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Ready to take over
Dexter Cooley, the athletic director at Wakefield, said he felt Sink was the best transition for the Wolverines. The school received plenty of interest about the position.
"We're extremely pleased to have somebody on our staff that is ready to take over our program," Cooley said. "He'll have to do administrative things, but he's not going to miss a beat."
Dinwiddie also made sure Cooley knew how valuable Sink was as a coach.
"I felt like all along he was the best fit," said Dinwiddie, who will leave the school in June.
Sink doesn't plan on making a lot of changes. He'll still call the offensive players.
Already, Sink knows his biggest task is preparing younger players. The starting running back, the entire offensive line, three defensive linemen and two defensive backs will be new.
"The challenge is pretty great," Sink said.
