Former Shelby player, Independence assistant to start football at Bradford Prep

Charlotte is adding a new high school football program next fall.

Bradford Prep, a K-12 charter school, plans to launch a varsity team and has tapped former Independence High assistant Adam Webber as its first head coach.

“Coach Webber is exactly the kind of leader we hoped to find for this critical role,” Bradford Prep athletic director Brian Whitleather said. “His passion, faith, and championship mindset make this an exciting moment for Bradford Prep football.”

Webber, 29, graduated from Shelby High School in 2014. He later played defensive line at Mars Hill and Greensboro College, the school he graduated from in 2019.

Since college, Webber has coached as an assistant for four years at Shelby and just finished his third year at Independence High as defensive coordinator under head coach D.J. McFadden, who left earlier this month to become the new head coach at West Charlotte.

“It’s exciting,” Webber said. “It’s a dream I’ve always had to run a program the way I want to and building it the way I see fit. When Bradford contacted me, it seemed like a match made in heaven.”

Bradford Prep had a junior varsity team that finished 1-6 under head coach Justin Griffith in 2025. Webber expects to have a team of 45-50 players on varsity next season.

“The launch of our varsity football program represents more than the addition of a sport,” Bradford Prep principal Billie Little said. “It strengthens school culture, builds student leadership, and creates opportunities for growth and pride that extend far beyond the field. Coach Webber’s experience and leadership make him the perfect fit to build our varsity football program. We are excited for the future of the program and can’t wait to watch him build something special”

The Bears, a 2A school, are an NCHSAA public school that plays in the Catawba Shores conference with Christ the King, Community School of Davidson, Corvian Community, Lake Norman Charter, Langtree Charter, Lincoln Charter and Pine Lake Prep.

Bradford Prep is about a 10 minute drive from Mallard Creek High in north Charlotte.

“You can expect us to be fast and physical and disciplined,” said Webber, who will be a full-time teacher at the school. “With us being a first-year school, a lot of people will try to count us out, and we’ll be prepared each and every week.”