U.S. history and government teacher, football coach and school pride enthusiast, Robby Carriger exudes charisma throughout the school.
“Coach Carriger cares about his players. He is willing to do whatever he can to help them be successful,” Patrick Hanley, athletic director and former football coach, said. “He is very intelligent and driven, and very willing to put in the necessary work to help a program succeed and become successful.”
Carriger started coaching in 2011 for his brother’s freshman football team. At the time he was writing for a sports website and living with his parents after graduating college.
“From day one I just fell in love with it and knew it was just something I needed to do with my life. It’s been a joy ever since and I can’t imagine doing anything else,” Carriger said.
Carriger has taught several subjects throughout his teaching career, but currently teaches U.S. history and government. He enjoys teaching students different aspects of history and inspire them to continue making our country better.
“There’s so much to love about teaching US history but I think my favorite is just teaching not just what happened, but why things happened and how to learn from what happened to make our country better today,” Carriger said.
Carriger graduated from Plainfield Central High School in 2005 and moved to Oklahoma. He had played football for PCHS all four years of his high school career, so the job was appealing to him.
“When coach Hanley said the football job was open I thought long and hard about it because I was still living in Oklahoma, but I couldn’t say no to this job,” Carriger said. “This place is just so special and it’s such an honor to be here in this job after attending here…I’m very very blessed to be here.”
Carriger is well renowned by his peers. His determination and drive to help his students improve makes him fit right in as the football coach.
“His school pride, his knowledge of the game, and passion for the sport itself are just some of Carriger’s best qualities,” Ruperto Ibarra, head freshman football coach, said.
Carriger creates an inspiring and welcoming environment for his players. He builds his players up and picks them up when they are down.
“Carriger always brings energy, which in a sport like football, is needed. He’s willing to work for us and with us,” Tyler Ibarra, team captain, senior, said. “You can tell he loves football and coaching us. We’ve built great connections with him.”
“I feel like he’s a great addition to the team. He knows that this sport means something special to everyone on the team,” Torrance Freeman, junior, said. “Although our season hasn’t been in our favor, he won’t give up on us and will continue to put a huge amount of time and effort into us and the game.”
Carriger looks forward to the rest of the season. He values his team’s talent and commitment to the sport.
“I’m excited to see where this season takes us. We have a great wheel of talent and great kids and if they continue to stay as bought into the process, culture, the standard, and the team as a whole,” Carrier said. “I expect to have a lot of fun, growth and progress, and probably some good score boards at the end of the night.”
