Little Rock Christian promotes from within, tabs defensive coordinator Dustin Grimmett as next head coach
Little Rock Christian football checked off perhaps its final task of 2023 when it announced Dustin Grimmett as the team's next head football coach Wednesday morning.
"I'm blessed and humbled to have this opportunity at a place my family and I call home," Grimmett said in a press release from the school. "We are excited to carry on the tradition of Warrior Football and are forever grateful to Warriorville for this opportunity."
Grimmett takes over for Eric Cohu after serving as the team's defensive coordinator the past two seasons. Grimmet's unit allowed just 19 points per game in 2023, which included three shutouts, while helping the Warriors finish 10-3 and runners-up for Class 6A.
"Dustin is an extremely dedicated, hard-working guy," Cohu said. "He is extremely high-character and one of the best I have worked around; what you see is what you get.
"From Day One seven years ago when I first met him, he was just trying to constantly learn everything he could and has just continued to progress defensively."
When Cohu announced that he was stepping down Dec. 13, it was a sure bet there would be a lot of interest in the job from all over, but, to many, the right hire was already on campus
"I definitely think there was a push internally for Dustin, along with a lot of external interest," Cohu said. "As soon as I made my announcement (to resign), we not only got bombarded with people across Arkansas, but across the country.
"We have a really good staff and I think the first question that the administration always asks is if there is anyone internally who would be interested. There was a lot people within the Little Rock Christian family who said that you are not going to find a better coach than Dustin Grimmett."
This will be Grimmett's first varsity head coaching job, but he is no stranger to leading a team. He has several years of coaching at the junior high level in football and wrestling, but Cohu brought up a value that is often overlooked.
"The biggest thing I see is the kids respond to him, and ultimately it is not how much you know, but what the kids will take from you," Cohu said. "He is one of the best in the business at getting players to take the game plan and execute it."
Grimmett worked for the LRC previously from 2015-20 before heading down to Arkadelphia for two years, and he also worked at Waldron. The Bryant native led the Badgers to a 1A-4A team state championship in wrestling in 2022.
Arkadelphia head coach Trey Schucker, whom Grimmett worked under at Arkadelphia, echoed Cohu's sentiments.
"I think Dustin is one of the best, well-rounded football minds in Arkansas and a high-character person who knows how to instill that in his players," Schucker said. "He knows how to prioritize football and family and is somebody that you would want your kid to play for and be mentored by."
After competing in the 6A-West during the 2022-24 cycle, the Warriors will bump up to the 7A-Central for the 2024-26 cycle.
"It will definitely be a challenge, but I think all of the guys on that staff are looking forward to that challenge," Cohu said. "I think Dustin, specifically, being a Bryant grad and playing the highest level is no stranger to Central Arkansas football.
"Also, coaching 6A for the past couple of years has helped that process because we are pretty much used to change around here having changed classifications in a two-year period."
– Kyle Sutherland | @k_sutherlandAR
