Fourteen years after graduating from William Blount, Justin Ridge is going back home to be the head Governor.
Ridge, who spent the last four seasons at Greenback compiling a 30-15 record has been hired as the new football coach at William Blount replacing David Gregory who resigned earlier this season.
After a 3-7 opening season in 2009, the Cherokees record improved every season under Ridge going from 8-4 in 2010 to 9-2 in 2011 to a 10-2 this season.
“I hope I can give the 2014 class the same William Blount pride I felt when I was in school there,” Ridge said of his new opportunity.
“I am very thankful for my time at Greenback, I had the opportunity to be around a lot of great players and coaches. I wish them well in the future.”
Ridge will have his work cut out for him as the Governors were 3-7 in 2012 and are 13-36 since their winning season in 2007.
“He is well respected by his peers in the classroom as well on the field,” William Blount Athletic Mike Brewer said. “Coach Ridge will bring leadership and stability as he guides this football program.”
Ridge was also named the district coach of the year while at Greenback and also was named Teacher of the year as well.
The Governors had three consecutive winning seasons from 2005 to 2007 as they posted a 22-13 and Ridge wants to return the Governors back to their winning ways.
William Blount joins Bartlett, Cannon County, David Crockett, Humboldt, Catholic, Lebanon, Macon County, Obion County, Pigeon Forge, Ravenwood, South Fulton and Union County as schools who have filled their head coaching job this offseason.
Hester Hired At Ravenwood
After coaching head to head against Ravenwood while at Brentwood for the last three years, Will Hester will now be in charge of the Raptor program.
Hester was hired today as the fifth coach in Raptor history taking over a program that hasn’t had a winning season since 2007.
Before that Ravenwood made consecutive Class 5A Championship games winning the title in 2005.
“I am excited about the future of Ravenwood football,” Hester said. “My vision for Ravenwood football is clear and I will work tirelessly until the job is done.”
For the last three seasons he had been the defensive coordinator at his alma mater Brentwood High.
The Bruins were 11-2 on the season and made the 6A Quarterfinals and a big reason was Hester’s defense which only allowed 11.1 points per game and had five shut outs during the year.
“Because of Coach Hester’s strong connection to the community and his extensive football experience, he is a natural for the job,” Ravenwood Principal Pam Vaden said.
This is his second head coaching job after taking the reins of the LaVergne program from 2007-2009, where he had a 9-21 record.
Before taking the head job at LaVergne, he was the Wolverines Offensive Coordinator after coming to LaVergne after coaching at Rutherford county rival Siegel.
“We are excited to bring Will into the program,” Ravenwood Athletic Director Patrick Whitlock said. “His local roots and understanding of what it takes to win in Williamson county and middle Tennessee made him an attractive candidate and we feel confident that he will be able to get us back into the postseason.”
Hester started his coaching career after graduating from Tennessee Tech, coaching at Upperman before heading to Siegel.
Contact Donovan at donovans1222@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter at Examine_Stew.
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