Horace West leads Haines City youth football programs for decades

HAINES CITY, Fla. — Youth league football is a big deal in the Polk County community of Haines City.

There is one name that is synonymous with that. It is Horace West. The former mayor of Haines City has dedicated decades to making sure young athletes get a chance to play the sport they love.

West is now affiliated with the Haines City Vipers, a youth football program he started. West got his start in local youth football by starting the Haines City Rattlers in 1991.

Over the years, he has started about 20 other football programs in other local communities. He also started a youth football conference with dozens of teams.

These days, West is more of an advisor rather than a coach.

“I’m old enough to be everybody’s dad or grandfather, so I just give them advice,” said West.

West has helped to mentor several players who ended up playing in the NFL. That includes Los Angeles Chargers’ safety Derwin James. For West, the goal of football is bigger than just athletics.

“Because we are trying to teach young boys how to be young men. So that’s the key,” he said.

West’s coaches put their players through tough practices and hope for success in games. But respect is more important.

“The coaches talk to them like drill sergeants, but they understand they can’t use profanity, touch them in any harsh way or anything like that,” West said.

West said he wants to make sure that the football program has longevity. So, he is always looking for new community members to get involved.

“My philosophy is that you have to recreate yourself. You have to reinvent yourself every so many years,” he said. “Because if you don’t, the program dies with the people who ran it.”