Wake Prep Academy has named a new head football coach and hired some former local college football stars as assistants.

Joe Campbell will serve as the next head coach at Wake Prep. Most recnetly, he has been the co-head coach of the North Wake Saints, where his teams won two NCIAA state championships.

Campbell has also served as the defensive coordinator and junior varsity head coach at South Garner High School. He is a U.S. Army veteran who holds a degreefrom N.C. Wesleyan.

“His ability to develop winning cultures, build disciplined teams, and mentor athletes for success has solidified his reputation as a respected leader in high school football,” the school said in a statement. “His defensive expertise, strategic mindset, and player development skills have been instrumental in shaping competitive teams at every level.”

Campbell has 20 years of coaching experience, and he will be assisted by former area college athletes. Koren Robinson and T.J. Graham, both NC State alumni and NFL veterans, will serve as assistant coaches.

Robinson, who played at South Point High School before enrolling at NC State in 1998, was a wide receiver. He was selected 9th overall by the Seattle Seahawks in the 2001 NFL Draft and spent eight seasons in the league, playing for the Seahawks, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Green Bay Packers.

Robinson was the ACC Rookie of the Year in 1999 and made the Pro Bowl in 2005 with the Vikings. During his NFL career, Robinson recorded 4,244 yards receiving yards, 115 rushing yards, and 2,070 return yards with 19 total touchdowns.

Graham attended Wakefield High School and began his college career at NC State in 2008. He was a third round draft pick, picked by the Buffalo Bills with 69th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Graham made several stops in the league, including the Bills, Tennessee Titans, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, and the Carolina Panthers.

At NC State, Graham finished as the ACC career leader in kickoff return yards with 3,153 yards in four seasons. He also posted 1,453 receiving yards with 16 total touchdowns.

Graham was also an accomplished track & field athlete in high school. He won the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4A state championhip in the 100 and 200 meters as a senior at Wakefield.

This will not be the first coaching move for Graham. In 2022, he joined the Green Bay Packers Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship program.

Wake Prep finished the 2024 season with a 4-6 overall record. The Guardians will become a 3A school next year when the NCHSAA expands to eight classifications, joining the Quad County 2A/3A/4A Conference along with American Leadership Academy-Johnston, Louisburg, Bunn, Nash Central, and Roanoke Rapids.