Football: Oaks Christian’s Redell on the verge of entering the hall

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For the first time in a long time, I called Bill Redell and he wasn’t in his office.

In fact, the coach at Oaks Christian was nowhere near his office Monday. He was on an airplane, bound for Colorado Springs, Colo., where he’s scheduled to be inducted into the National High School Athletic Coaches Assn. Hall of Fame on Tuesday.

The honor is worthy, no doubt. Redell, 67, has coached at the high school level for 20-plus years and has guided the Lions to five consecutive Southern Section titles since taking the job in 2000. Before that, he had stops at Crespi and St. Francis.

‘When you’ve been doing this for as long as I have, and you’re as old as I am, you’re bound to end up doing something right,’’ Redell said. ‘Honestly, this is going to be one of those special occasions I can look back on when I retire and be proud of.’’

‘I’ve had some great players and great coaches around me in my day. I owe a lot to those guys, I’m merely a reflection of all those great people. I’m flattered, I’m very pleased with this honor. This will be one for the good ol’ scrapbook.’’