Rick Honaker is a busy guy with many roles in his life, and he just got busier. “I’m lucky if I get regular sleep,” said the 44-year-old man on the move. “But it’s all good.”
For the energetic education stalwart, it’s been especially good. The Taylor Mill resident is married to wife Kristin and father to six adoring children, one of whom is already married, so Honaker is also a father-in-law.
By day, he’s an admired special education teacher and behavior interventionalist at Gallatin County High School. Honaker has been coaching in the afternoons primarily as an assistant football coach for more than two decades. At night, when he’s not coaching, he’s part of the Honaker family valet service shuttling kids to virtually wherever.
That’s what he was doing Monday after being named the new Campbell County High School head football coach. The hire marks a homecoming more than two decades in the making. As the school announced, Honaker is “extremely excited and honored to be… HOME.”
Not long after that, Honaker was driving a daughter to Trimble County High School, where she was a cheerleader for the Gallatin County girls basketball team’s All “A” Classic regional tournament contest. At some point late Monday night, Honaker crashed hard ahead of another jam-packed day. He woke up to a new normal while adding a new hat as head of the Camels’ football program.
The 1999 Campbell County graduate made a return by accepting the head football coaching position offered to him earlier Monday. That brought the Wilder native back to the football program where his prep playing career began.
Honaker takes over the Camels after spending last season as head coach at Gallatin County, a 2-8 finisher. Gallatin County is regarded by some as one of the more challenging small‑school football jobs in Kentucky.
Campbell County athletic director Michael Florimonte said the school is confident it has found the right leader. “We are extremely happy and looking forward to coach Honaker leading the Camels for many years to come,” Florimonte said.
Honaker envisions turning around Campbell County, reinstating the team as a football power and ending his coaching career there. But first things first. He has a familiar football program to rebuild from the ground up and it’s going to be a challenge.
“I understand Rome wasn’t built in a day,” Honaker said. “This will take some time. But Campbell County football will make its turn.”
The Camels, 3-8 in 2025, have not posted a winning season since 2018. They haven’t won a playoff game since 2016.
Honaker brings 23 years of coaching experience across Kentucky, Ohio and Georgia, where he was an assistant of the year. He also has coached at the college level. His résumé includes roles as a head coach, assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator.
Honaker has assisted at Newport, Bishop Brossart, Ryle and New Hampstead High School in Savannah, Georgia, where he helped over 70 student-athletes reach their dreams of playing college football. Before entering the head‑coaching ranks, he built a reputation as a detail‑driven teacher of the game. He carries a strong emphasis on player development and program culture.
Honaker has coached in high school state championship games. He has coached in the NCAA playoffs during stints at Heidelberg University and Thomas More University. He played collegiately. Honaker was the Saints’ starting fullback for the better part of four seasons after being recruited as a linebacker.
“I’ve been around a lot of great programs that have done it the right way, with character,” Honaker said. “I want to bring that to Campbell County. The wins will show up not only on the field but in the classroom and community.”
Florimonte said Honaker’s background and values align with the direction Campbell County hopes to take its football program. “His passion for the game and focus on academics, athletics and citizenship will help build a solid foundation for the Camel football program at all levels,” Florimonte said.
Honaker grew up playing youth football for the Campbell County Red Devils. He eventually starred on both sides of the ball as a 5-foot-8, 175-pound two-way standout for the Camels. He was a leading ball-carrier as a sophomore and junior. Honaker was an all-area linebacker as a senior, a two-time team captain and an all-conference honoree.
The school said Honaker’s “we over me” philosophy and enthusiasm for his alma mater were factors in the hiring process.
The move comes after former Campbell County head man Brian Weinrich announced that he is retiring from coaching. Weinrich had been the head coach of the Camels since 2021. In four seasons, he guided the team to a 12-32 record.
Honaker arrives as Campbell County looks to reestablish stability and long‑term direction within the program. School officials believe Honaker’s experience and ties to the community position him well to lead a turnaround.
The Camels lose 10 seniors. They include the starting quarterback, top two rushers and three of the top four tacklers from the 2025 team. The Camels numbered 37 players and started the season 2-0. Among those expected back are leading receivers Cade Anthrop and Ayden Earls and top tackler Alex Riedinger.
Those three combined on six interceptions for the defense which gave up 39 points per game. The Camels averaged 21 points on offense.