RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesNorth Florida Christian football coach Kez McCorvey opened preseason camp with an old-school twist.
Before the Eagles officially opened practice last week, the second-year coach and former Florida State and NFL receiver moved his players into the school for a pair of overnight stays, turning classrooms into temporary dormitories and immersing players in two days of football, team-building and bonding.
The idea, McCorvey said, is about more than football.
"I wanted the guys to get a feel of camp," McCorvey said. "In pro ball, we used to have six weeks of camp. You were together all day long, football from the time you woke up until the time you went to bed. I wanted the guys to experience that. Not the misery part of it, but having that much football and the chance to develop relationships with your teammates and get closer."
After holding the session for one night last year after being hired, McCorvey extended the idea.
Players checked in Sunday afternoon, July 26, and settled into a busy schedule that included meetings, equipment distribution, meals, team-building activities and position sessions before finally turning in for the night. They repeated the routine Monday before returning to their normal preseason schedule.
McCorvey converted two classrooms near his office into sleeping quarters, with players sleeping on the floor and spending their time rotating between the classrooms, locker room, weight room, practice field and cafeteria.
The camp atmosphere was supported by parents and local businesses, which helped provide meals throughout the stay.
"We try to acclimate them to everything," McCorvey said. "The coaches get them fitted for equipment, we meet with the parents, they get their lockers and gear, we eat dinner, then it's straight into team meetings, offensive meetings, defensive meetings and position meetings. Before you know it, it's late and I'm trying to get them to go to bed."
More: FSU great Warrick Dunn joins Charlie Ward for 'full-circle moment'
Kez McCorvey returns to coaching with a sense of purpose
Now entering his second season, McCorvey said his decision to come back into coaching was driven less by career ambition and more by a sense of purpose. McCorvey, a star receiver on FSU's first national championship team in 1993, served as head coach at other local high schools, including Maclay and JPII, and is well-known for his involvement with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).
The Class 1A-District 2 Eagles finished 5-5 in McCorvey's first season.
"I felt like the program was in need," said McCorvey, an assistant on NFC's last state championship team in 2018. "I had coached there before, my son went to school there, and I felt called to coach. I feel like that's my purpose. I wasn't looking for a coaching job, but somehow I came out of a meeting over there with a coaching job."
The Eagles enter the season with around 40 varsity players and a roster that blends returning contributors with promising newcomers.
Among the top returning playmakers is running back Arius Burt, whom McCorvey described as "really, really good" and one of the team's most athletic players. Defensively, linebacker NKari Green returns after finishing among the team's leading tacklers a year ago and is expected to anchor a young but talented linebacker group.
NFC also expects several freshmen to contribute immediately as the program continues to develop depth.
After wrapping up their camp experience, the Eagles wasted little time getting back to work.
For McCorvey, however, the most important work may have already begun. The overnight camp wasn't simply about installing plays. It was about creating connections, building trust and giving players a shared experience they can lean on once the season begins.
"We're trying to build a team," McCorvey said. "That's what this is really about."
Burt believes the camp accomplished exactly that, giving the Eagles valuable time to strengthen the bonds that can make a difference on Friday nights.
"I think the camp sleepover is important because it gives us a chance to spend more time together as a team outside of football," Burt said. "It helps us build stronger relationships, trust each other more and become closer as a team. I think when you have that type of bond, it shows on the field because everyone is willing to work for each other."
Here is NFC's 2026 football schedule
Aug. 21: at Franklin County
Aug. 28: vs. Port St. Joe
Sept. 11: at Freeport
Sept. 18: vs Leon
Sept. 25: at Indian Rocks Christian
Oct. 2: at Maclay
Oct. 9: vs FAMU DRS
Oct. 16: at Chipley
Oct. 23: vs Marianna
Oct. 30: at North Bay Haven Academy
A look at Class 1A-District 2
Chipley
FAMU DRS
Maclay
Marianna
NFC
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Kez McCorvey creates old-school camp vibe with NFC football
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