Homecoming

TRINITY — As a high school football player at Trinity High School, Mark Raynor realized what it took to be successful. As a high school coach, he certainly realized the hard work and dedication it takes to help turn a program around.

Now he’s combining those experiences as the new head football coach at Trinity High School. 

A THS graduate, Raynor played two years for head coach Kevin Gillespie and was on one of only two teams to finish with a winning season at THS in the past 20 seasons.

As a head coach, he spent four seasons at Northeast Guilford, where his teams struggled early, finishing 1-17 combined in his first two seasons, before an upward swing ended with records of 5-5 and 7-5.

After a year of assisting at Southern Guilford in 2024, he brings all that experience to help rebuild a Trinity football program he has loved since his playing days.

“There’s always a dream to go back home and having a positive influence, a positive impact on a city and community that helped build you,” said Raynor, who was introduced as the Bulldogs new coach last week. “I’m extremely excited. I love the school and the community.”

Raynor is replacing Bear Bradley, who left for another coaching opportunity. Raynor will be the fourth head coach in the past six seasons.

“I know they have gone through some coaching changes,” Raynor said about meeting his team last week. “I believe it all comes down to consistency. Consistency in every thing you do. Showing up to work every day, having a plan every day. When change happens, it can make kids nervous. 

“There are so many academies and places kids can move on to. Stability helps keep them there and helps keep them excited. If I’m a parent, knowing my son is going to have the same coach for four years is important. Stability is important.”

Raynor, whose team was 7-5 under Gillespie his senior year at THS, said he was immediately interested when the THS job opened.

“I always take a little bit of time to make any decision, because it will change the life of my family, it will change the lives of the coaches at the school,” said Raynor, who was the defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach at SG this past season. “I knew the job was coming open and there was interest immediately. 

“I always kept up with the school. I always go back and check on my original home team. I have several good friends who have coached there.”

Trinity hasn’t had a winning season since 2017 when Brett Andrews led the Bulldogs to a 6-5 record. 

Raynor will lead the Bulldogs into their new realigned conference, one that includes Wheatmore, Providence Grove, Thomasville, East Davidson and West Davidson, all 3-A teams.

“I am super excited about the conference we were put in,” Raynor said. “With preparation and the right work ethic, we will be successful.”

Raynor will teach weight training, health and physical education at THS.