Freeport coach Anthony Dedmond has a passion for young people both on the field and in the classroom

FREEPORT, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — Our local high school football coaches are passionate about football naturally, and they’re also passionate about young people. That’s why they do what they do. Freeport Pretzels’ head coach Anthony Dedmond is overflowing with passion for young people.

Dedmond has been a fixture on Freeport’s sidelines for six plus years as the Pretzels’ head coach.
He also has been a fixture in the classroom at Freeport High School.  He teaches law enforcement classes to students.

“My background is I was a corrections officer for the Stephenson County Jail. I worked with some outstanding people. I made some outstanding friends.”

Dedmond spent seven years doing that. That job led to this one at Freeport High School.

“I love it,” said Dedmond. “I’m here every morning between 5:00 and 5:30.”

Dedmond has always been a part of Freeport High School. He graduated from here in the class of 1992. He was a standout wrestler and football player. Now, he excels as a coach and as a teacher with these law enforcement classes.

I asked him if there a lot of kids in Freeport who are interested in law enforcement.
“I don’t know if they’re interested in law enforcement or the jokes that I’m cracking. No complaints. I have some great kids.”

Almost every topic revolving around police, law enforcement and criminal justice comes up in these classes. Some can be very sensitive topics for many of these teenagers. I asked Dedmond if his students are accepting of the police and the job they do, or if they’re leery of the police.

“It depends on the situation. Everyone’s different. Everyone has had a different interaction. Everyone’s family has had a different interaction. My point is not to try to get them to go to one side or another. It’s just open your mind up and realize because we had a couple bad apples not everything is ruined. At the end of the day understand the resources that you have and take advantage of them, and understand we need quality people involved to make sure things are being done correctly.

Freeport has its share of serious crimes.

“Not long ago one of my former athletes was a victim of gun violence,” said Dedmond. “You think about the individual and you see how things happened, and it makes you want to do more.”

“We just need more people to step up and be that positive or be that help that’s needed. That’s the only way things are going to get better.”

Dedmond cares about every student in his classroom, every football player that he coaches, every student who walks in or has walked in the halls of Freeport High School.

So why are young people so important to Dedmond?

“You know it’s…you want to make sure that everyone feels special. That everyone feels a part of something.”

“You never know what God holds for you until he places you there. I just feel he’s placed me where I’m supposed to be at.”

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