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5 Key Takeaways From The Coolidge High School Football Team’s Resilient 2024 Season

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The Coolidge High School Colts football program in Washington, D.C., continues to be a cornerstone of the city’s athletic landscape, blending a storied history with the competitive fire of the modern DCIAA. As of December 23, 2025, the Colts have wrapped up their 2024 campaign, showcasing a mix of grit, major rivalry battles, and the challenging transition following a recent championship victory.

The 2024 season saw the Colts navigate a demanding schedule, finishing with an overall record of 5-6, yet solidifying their status as a formidable force within the DCIAA Stars division. This article provides a deep dive into the latest updates, key figures, and historical context that define the Coolidge Colts football program today, from the sidelines under Head Coach Kevin Nesbitt to the legacy of their NFL alumni.

The Colts' 2024 Season: Results, DCIAA Standings, and Major Rivalry Showdowns

The 2024 season was defined by high-stakes divisional play and the annual Thanksgiving tradition that captures the attention of the entire District. The Colts demonstrated their competitive spirit, particularly in the DCIAA Stars division, where they battled for playoff positioning and divisional dominance.

2024 Season Snapshot and Key Results

The Coolidge Colts completed their 2024 season with an overall record of 5-6. While the team faced tough losses against strong regional opponents, their performance in the DCIAA kept them in the thick of the divisional race. A notable non-conference result included a close 21-24 loss to Archbishop Carroll, demonstrating the team's ability to compete with top-tier programs.

  • Overall Record (2024): 5-6
  • Notable Non-Conference Game: Loss to Archbishop Carroll (21-24)
  • DCIAA Flag Football: The girls' flag football team, a growing part of the program, reached the 2024 DCIAA Flag Football Championship but fell to Eastern High School, 25-6.

The DC Turkey Bowl: A Storied Rivalry Continues

The highlight of the season for many fans was the annual DC Turkey Bowl, a Thanksgiving tradition that pits Coolidge against its fiercest rival, the Dunbar High School Crimson Tide. In the 2024 edition of the Turkey Bowl, held on Thursday, November 28, the Colts battled hard but ultimately lost to Dunbar with a final score of 21-35. This game is more than just a contest; it is a cultural event that brings together the community and showcases the best of D.C. high school football.

The rivalry is deeply rooted, and while the 2024 result favored Dunbar, Coolidge holds a significant place in the game's history, having secured a major Turkey Bowl title in 1986.

The Coaching Staff and the Path to the 2023 DCIAA Championship

The leadership on the sidelines is crucial to the Colts' success, and the program has a history of groundbreaking coaches. The current era is led by Head Coach Kevin Nesbitt, who is focused on maintaining and building upon the team’s recent championship success.

Head Coach Kevin Nesbitt and Program Leadership

The Coolidge Colts football program is currently helmed by Head Coach Kevin Nesbitt, who has been instrumental in guiding the team through the competitive DCIAA landscape. Coach Nesbitt’s focus is on developing student-athletes who excel both on the field and in the classroom, a tradition that has long been a hallmark of the Coolidge Colts. He is supported by a dedicated staff, including Assistant Coaches Marques Nesbitt, Renaldo Brown, and Fellonte Misher.

A Recent Taste of Glory: The 2023 DCIAA Stripes Championship

A major achievement that continues to motivate the current squad is the team's recent success in the DCIAA. In 2023, the Coolidge Colts captured the DCIAA Stripes Division Championship, defeating Anacostia High School with a score of 14-6. This victory marked a significant milestone for the program, proving their ability to compete at the highest level of D.C. high school football and adding another trophy to the school's case, which also includes a DCIAA Stars Championship.

A Legacy of Groundbreaking Coaching

The program also holds a special place in sports history for its past coaching staff. Natalie Randolph, a former science teacher at Coolidge, made national headlines when she was named the head coach of the boys' varsity football team, becoming the first female high school boys' football coach in the city and one of the first in the nation. Her tenure highlighted the school's commitment to pioneering leadership and diverse representation in sports.

Coolidge High School Football: A History of NFL Talent and Notable Alumni

Coolidge High School has a rich tradition of producing talented athletes who have gone on to play at the collegiate and professional levels, cementing its status as a key developer of football talent in the Mid-Atlantic region. The school’s alumni base includes several players who have made their mark in the National Football League (NFL).

Notable Football Alumni

The Colts' legacy is carried on by a number of high-profile alumni who have achieved significant success after graduating from the Washington, D.C. institution. This list includes:

  • Jerry Porter: A standout wide receiver who played collegiately at West Virginia before being drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the 2000 NFL Draft. Porter enjoyed a successful career with the Raiders and is one of Coolidge's most recognizable NFL exports.
  • Marvin Austin: A highly-touted defensive tackle who attended Coolidge before transferring to Ballou High School. He went on to play for the University of North Carolina and was drafted in the 2011 NFL Draft.
  • Derrell Person: A talented wide receiver from the Class of 2009 who was a top football alumnus for the program.
  • Emmanuel Yeager: A notable quarterback from the Class of 2009.

Other Prominent Graduates

The school's influence extends far beyond the gridiron, with a long list of successful alumni in various fields, adding to the school's overall prestige and topical authority:

  • Warner Wolf: Renowned sportscaster.
  • Bill Regardie: Businessman and former publisher of Regardie magazine.
  • Joseph T. Smith: A gifted athlete who excelled in football, basketball, and track.

The Future of the Colts Program

As the Coolidge Colts look ahead to the 2025-2026 season, the program remains focused on competitive excellence within the DCIAA Stars Division. The foundation laid by the 2023 championship and the experience gained during the challenging 2024 campaign provide a strong platform for future success. The team will continue to rely on strong local talent development to compete with rivals like Dunbar, Eastern, and Anacostia, ensuring that Coolidge High School football remains a powerhouse in D.C. sports.

With Head Coach Kevin Nesbitt at the helm, the Colts are poised to make another run at the DCIAA championship, drawing inspiration from the historic achievements of their alumni and the enduring legacy of the program. The Washington, D.C. community eagerly awaits the next chapter in the storied history of the Coolidge Colts.

coolidge high school football
coolidge high school football

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