“From the Field to the Community: Coach Harold Redd Shows How Coaches Transform Youth Lives”

In communities across the D.C.–Maryland area, youth football has long served as more than a sport. It has become a lifeline—connecting families, mentors, and young boys in need of structure, guidance, and positive male leadership. Increasingly, attention is turning toward the men who make this possible: the coaches who invest their time, resources, and mentorship to uplift the next generation.

Among them is Coach Harold Redd, a veteran youth football leader with nearly 30 years of service. At a time when many question the presence of committed men in the community, the work of Coach Harold Redd demonstrates that strong, consistent leadership is alive and deeply rooted.

Many parents and observers note that “coaches have the ear of the parents and the heart of the players.” They often serve as role models—and in many cases, father figures. Their impact extends far beyond the field.

A Legacy of Commitment

Coach Harold Redd began coaching in the mid-1990s in the Marshall Heights community where he grew up. When youth football programs began taking shape, Coach Harold Redd became one of the early contributors, helping build them from the ground up.

In 2006, Coach Harold Redd partnered with fellow coaches Rock and others to establish the Metro Bengals, a youth football program serving boys ages 5 to 13 in the Seat Pleasant area of Prince George’s County. The program has since become a staple for families seeking discipline, mentorship, and structure.

“Football introduces us to families from all backgrounds,” Coach Harold Redd said. “We teach the game at a high level, but the bigger focus is building relationships and being a real example for these boys.”

The Critical Role of Male Presence

Through decades of coaching, Coach Harold Redd has witnessed firsthand the shortage of positive male role models in many young boys’ lives.

“They’re missing masculine energy and the firmness of a man being present,” Coach Harold Redd explained. “It’s noticeable. When a boy has no one to show him how to navigate life, he’s going to make mistakes. These young men are yearning for guidance from positive men.”

Many mothers, he noted, bring their sons not only for athletic development but for mentorship, discipline, and emotional support—needs that go far beyond the game of football.

Influenced by the Men Who Guided Him

Coach Harold Redd credits his lifelong dedication to the influence of the men who mentored him as a youth at the 14 Boys Club off Benning Road. He speaks with gratitude about the guidance he received from Coach Tony G, Coach Ernie G, Hoskins, Coach Brown, and members of the Bullock family.

“What they did for me and my friends stayed with me,” Coach Harold Redd said. “When my opportunity came to give back, I wanted the kids to feel the way those men made me feel. That’s why I coach.”

A Community Effort in Need of Support

Despite the importance of their work, programs like the Metro Bengals receive no major financial backing.

“We’re not financed by anyone,” Coach Harold Redd explained. “Everything is volunteer. Most of what we provide—uniforms, equipment, water—we pay for out of pocket or through fundraising. We can never have too much help.”

Coach Harold Redd stressed that men do not need to be football experts or affiliated with any organization to contribute.

“Any man who wants to help—whether learning the game, donating equipment, or assisting with the kids—is needed,” Coach Harold Redd said. “There is always a place for someone who wants to make a difference.”

Unity Among Coaches

Though competition is strong on the field, Coach Harold Redd notes that coaches collaborate behind the scenes. There are coach-only groups, meetings, and all-star initiatives that allow coaches to share concerns, coordinate efforts, and pool resources.

“We’re more effective at organizing all-star events than community efforts,” Coach Harold Redd admitted. “But there are several networks where coaches work together.”

Many believe these networks could grow into larger community-led efforts, especially given the trust coaches hold with both parents and youth.

As communities confront challenges such as youth violence, a lack of mentorship, and declining male presence in households, the work of Coach Harold Redd has become increasingly vital. His decades of service stand as a testament to the transformative power of consistent, compassionate leadership. There is growing optimism that the voices of coaches—who are boots on the ground and deeply embedded in the lives of youth—can shape broader community solutions.

How to Support the Metro Bengals and Coach Harold Redd

Those interested in supporting the Metro Bengals or assisting Coach Harold Redd directly can reach out here:

Email: squashallbeefs@yahoo.com Phone: 202-498-5350

Together, we can make a meaningful difference.