For the first time since 2013 the
Central (Miami) high school football team will have a new head coach as Jube Joseph takes over for Roland Smith.
Joseph, the defensive coordinator for the past three years, takes over the Rockets program after Smith left to join Mario Cristobal's staff at the University of Miami.
"It's an honor to be able to serve these kids, this school, and this amazing community in this capacity," Joseph said.
He has played a big role in the Rockets' success as the the Miami power is coming off a third consecutive state title. Miami Central went 12-2 in 2021 and after starting 0-2 with tough losses to nationally-ranked St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) and Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas). After falling to the two national powers, the Rockets finished the season with 12 straight wins and had one of the best defenses in the country, allowing 13 points per game while holding seven opponents to seven points or less.
He has big shoes to fill as Smith was one of the best high school football coaches in the game and went 96-18 during his nine-year tenure as head coach. Smith led the Rockets to six state titles (2013, 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2021).
Before his successful stint with Miami Central, Smith was the head coach at Northwestern (Miami) for six years (2001-06) and led the Bulls to a 69-13 record. His best year came in 2006 with Jacory Harris, Lavonte David, Sean Spence, Tommy Streeter and Antwain Easterling as they went 15-0 and won the 6A state title.
The Rockets finished ranked in the MaxPreps Top 25 for the ninth time since 2010 last season and are tied with Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) and De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) with the most over the last 11 years.
Expect the Joseph-led Rockets to be featured in our preseason MaxPreps Top 25 rankings later this summer as they return a lot of talent headlined by four-star edge rusher
Rueben Bain, two-way standout
Joshisa Trader, quarterback
Keyone Jenkins and running back
Ean Pope.
Miami Central has been one of the best high schools at producing NFL talent with eight alumni selected in the NFL Draft over the last 15 years, including the Minnesota Vikings' Dalvin Cook and Baltimore's Devonta Freeman.
Miami Central named Jube Joseph, left, as its new football coach. The defensive coordinator replaces Roland Smith, middle, who left to join Mario Cristobal's staff at the University of Miami.
File photo by Matthew Christopher
