Curtis Campbell knows a thing or two about hard work. A 2009 graduate of Grassfield, where he played linebacker, he helped take a brand-new program from winless in its inaugural season to 7-3 in his senior year. He then attended the University of North Carolina, where he competed against some of the best players in the nation. Now, he finds himself at the helm of a diminished Great Bridge football program, and turning it around might be his hardest tackle to make.

The issues surrounding the program have been well documented, from stadium structural issues to equipment and funding. Campbell, however, believes there’s a bigger issue facing the program: participation.

“Last season, we finished with just under 40 players,” he points out. “We can’t compete at a high level with 30 to 40 guys, JV and Varsity combined. The coaches and I have aimed to attack recruiting in the hallways.”

Coming out of spring weightlifting and entering summer training, that plan has seen success, with participation almost doubling. “I believe we have had 70-75 players come through our off-season program,” Campbell notes. “We’re trying to make OTAs (Organized Team Activities) the best part of the player’s day, to overcome the stigma of ‘the team doesn’t win or produce.’ We need the guys present to put in the work and buy into being a part of the change that leads to competing and, eventually, winning some football games.”

Campbell will be attempting to lay a foundation on which to build, and he believes his time with Grassfield will help: “I believe you need to have experience to pull from, and now I can tell my own story. I can say, ‘I’ve been a part of a team that went 0-10. We didn’t have new coaches coming in or new transfers. We had guys from the hallways join the team and put in the work to go from 0-10 to 7-3.’”

A big component of the right foundation is a competitive environment, which is exactly what Campbell is creating at Great Bridge. The team participated in Green Run’s summer 7-on-7 camp, competing against Maury, Phoebus, and Kempsville. They also participated in ODU’s invite-only camp. “I want to consistently put the players in positions to compete,’’ Campbell says.

While results might not be immediately shown in the win column, Campbell and staff are finding other ways to track success and keep the players engaged. “We’re recording data constantly,” he says; “whether it be weightlifting maxes or other areas of improvement, we are recording to show growth.” The staff continues to push the players to compete beyond their comfort zones with the mantra, “Handle harder, better.”

The buzz around the program is increasing, but much hard work lies ahead for a turnaround. Early in the process, it appears the Wildcats have the right man for the job. Great Bridge and Coach Campbell will start their 2022 campaign at home Friday, September 9th, against Nansemond River.