Rodney Cofield, one of the winningest football coaches in Atlanta Public Schools history, is returning to the city as coach at B.E.S.T. Academy.

B.E.S.T. Academy opened in 2007 and played its first varsity season in 2012. The football team has had one winning season and one playoff victory.

The program’s victory total improved from 0-8 to 3-7 to 4-6 under most recent coach Bernard Goodrum, who resigned this offseason to take the Griffin job in his hometown.

Cofield’s records were 97-46-1 with three region titles at Washington from 1995 to 2007 and 46-47 at Douglass from 2012 to 2020. He was coach at Heritage of Conyers last season.

An Atlanta native, Cofield ranks fifth all-time among APS coaches with 143 wins behind Willie Jordan (169), Wayman Creel (148), Charlie Brannon (144) and L.C. Baker (153 confirmed, more than 200 unconfirmed).

B.E.S.T. Academy is an all-boys school. Its name is an acronym for Business, Engineering, Science and Technology.

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In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com