New Coaches, New Starts as Preseason Rolls On

Rick Bailey is the third head coach in three seasons for Hammond Central football.
Coming off an 0-10 season in 2025, the restart is in full effect on Calumet Avenue.
But the team motto of “Faith, Family, Wolves” is leading a roster with low numbers onward — and hopefully upward.
“We’ve made a lot of progress,” Bailey said. “We’ll be competitive in games. We’ll win some games, just not sure how many at this point.”
Bailey played at Hyde Park in Chicago before playing at Jackson State. He was hired to coach football at Eggers Middle School in 2017, just a couple of blocks from the Central campus. He was hired to lead the varsity program in June. The late hire resulted in six Wolves players transferring.
“Depth is an issue,” Bailey said.
Hammond Central has 38 players on the roster, but only 35 are currently practicing. Still, Bailey has some players to build around.
Seniors Bradley Scott (DE/RB), Cole Korba (OL/DL) and Jimmy West (RB/LB), along with junior Jae’lynn Barnes (athlete), are leading the way.
While Bailey will continue teaching at Eggers, he has two assistants who are in the Hammond Central building every day. Boys basketball coach Jermaine Boyette and Travis Morris will help lead the staff as the Wolves look to improve upon last year’s 0-10 season.
The Wolves are also looking to fill an open date on the schedule in Week 4.
“We want to change the culture,” Bailey said. “We want great citizens that the community can be proud of when they see them in a restaurant or grocery store. We want good football players that everyone can be proud of.”
Bailey said that process will begin with the 12 freshmen on this year’s roster — and continue with future freshman classes.
“We’re going to play our freshmen,” Bailey said. “We’re going to use them.”
OILER UP: Adam Hudak coached at Hammond Central from 2021 through 2024. The 1998 Lowell graduate also coached four years at Wheeler and two years at Lake Station.
Hudak now is at Whiting, trying to resurrect what was once one of the top small-school programs in Northern Indiana.
Hudak is the fourth head coach the Oilers’ senior class has had. Whiting has won two games over the past two seasons.
Hudak was hired in January, which has been a help. He and assistant Tom Davenport have had the Oilers working hard in the weight room for months.
“We are focusing hard on creating a positive atmosphere,” Hudak said. “The kids have to be confident in their abilities. It’s a shame there’s been so much (coaching) turnover here.”
Numbers remain an issue. Whiting has 32 players on the roster, but Hudak hopes to get that number above 40 by the time school starts. There are only four freshmen playing currently.
Shakur Parker has bench-pressed a school-record 370 pounds. The two-way lineman will be key on the interior.
Romeo Rosario, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound linebacker/fullback, has received an offer from Calumet College, which is transitioning to NAIA football.
“We’ve got talent,” Hudak said. “We just can’t get anyone hurt.”
GETTING BACK ON THE WARPATH: Since 2019, Cody French is the fifth head football coach at Portage.
The Indians’ program won a state championship in 1977 and finished as the state runner-up in 1994. Portage went 0-10 last fall.
“Our numbers are good, the transition has been good,” said French, who coached two years at Calumet and three years at Michigan City. “We were able to get our winter install in. I feel good about where we’re at right now.”
Portage has 135 to 140 players on its roster, including 50 freshmen.
The players expected to lead the way include senior defensive end/tight end Shane Hill. The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder has multiple Division I and Division II offers.
Senior Tristan Burelison, 5-10, 200, will play running back and linebacker. Classmate Apollo Gibbs, 6-2, 210, should star at the same positions.
Senior Ozzy Fuentes, 5-10, 240, has already committed to Rose-Hulman as an offensive lineman and linebacker.
Junior Lester Whisby, 6-3, 190, will be a standout defensive back. Sophomores Bryce Hodges (QB) and Ayden Sanders (WR) should also play significant minutes for the Indians.
“We have a ton of talent,” French said. “But so does every other team in (Duneland Athletic Conference). I can’t tell you what the issues have been here. But I think our kids can lack self-belief. We’re working hard on that. We’re excited about what we can do here.”

Steve Hanlon
Heartland Sports Network