Occidental Gives Redell the Word--Receivers Coach

Bill Redell was going to join the Occidental College football staff as a walk-on coach, but that was the extent of his knowledge.

Redell, who coached Crepi High to the Southern Section Big Five Conference title in 1986, initially was told he would coach running backs. Redell, 49, was informed Friday he instead will coach wide receivers. And he finally settled on his starting date, which is Tuesday.

“Until (Friday), I wasn’t really sure what I was doing,” Redell said with a laugh. “For all I know, they may have run out of patience and already fired me.”

No such thought has crossed the mind of Coach Dale Widolff, who is eager to add Redell to his staff.

Redell, who played seven seasons in the Canadian Football League, is a former assistant at Cal State Fullerton and Cal Lutheran. Crespi was 43-13-1 in five seasons under Redell.

“At this level, it isn’t often that you get a chance to get quality guys like (Redell), especially as a walk-on,” Widolff said.

Redell, who played quarterback at Occidental from 1961-63 and later was inducted into the school’s hall of fame, will combine his coaching duties with his commitments as general manager of an insurance company.

“They’re giving me an opportunity to return to coaching, which is something I’ve wanted to do for a while,” Redell said.