Pritchett out as Westlake football coach
Westlake has made a change at football coach after the first 0-10 finish in school history.
Stanley Pritchett, a former NFL player who was 21-19 while at North Atlanta and Washington before taking the Westlake job this season, is out. He will remain at the school as a social studies teacher, said principal Grant Rivera, who announced the coaching change.
Westlake is known for its history of players in the NFL, including Cam Newton. In 2005, Westlake had six of its graduates on NFL rosters.
Westlake has not won a playoff game since 2006, when Newton was a senior.
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79 comments Add your comment
W-LAKE
December 18th, 2012
9:23 pm
Please the only reason R Blackmon would take the job is to bring his son in to play QB. That would be the biggest joke ever,
oldplayer
December 18th, 2012
10:54 pm
so I used to play for westlake from 06-09 when we still had a little bit of talent and my lil brother goes to langston and that team has so many transfer and talent from westlake ….westlake has no talent at all hopefully westlake can rebuild like tri-cities who went 0-10 some years ago and o yeah back when I was at westlake we used to get transfers from all over the place mays,tricities,north clayton,mundys mills banneker and we still went 7-4 that year but if some of the talent would have stayed with westlake they prob would have went 5-5
go westlake
December 19th, 2012
9:45 am
HIre Cofeild….Discipline, structure, results!! On and off the field.
biggest problem
December 19th, 2012
10:02 am
Wow when I said lets start a rumor mill …I didnt kno people would go as far as bringing David Talton back…although I think Coach Talton would be a great addition…I played for Talton when he coach at Washington and I dont think he would come out of retirement … he loves Golf to much lol….but its worth a try…
Well here is my short list of Top 10 Black coaches in the area, who can get it DONE at Westlake in this order …#1 being the best fit and hire…
1) Kevin Whitley @ Stockbridge…. true winner and has won in the south fulton area before
Johnny White@ former Creekside HFC….great Defensive Mind…knows the area and kids
2) Rodney Cofield @ Douglass …losing right now but could turn Westlake around
3) Damien Wimes @ Miller Grove….he beat Stephenson enough sad…
4) Rodney Hackney@ Washington…Sound coach and with a proven record..to win right away
5) Dallas Allen @ Therrell …best shot…I hear he wants to come back anyway
6) Jasper Jewell @ former MG HFC…a long shot but hey he might …take a package deal ( AD/HFC)
7) Dominic Calloway @ Mays….I heard he not wanted at Mays anymore anyway…could be a good fit
9) Olten Downs@ Riverdale …one of the top coaches in CCPS
10) Rodrick Moore@ DC at Columbia ….he has alot swagger that Westlake needs
PO NO NO
December 19th, 2012
10:15 am
Wow when I said lets start a rumor mill …I didnt kno people would go as far as bringing David Talton back…although I think Coach Talton would be a great addition…I played for Talton when he coach at Washington and I dont think he would come out of retirement … he loves Golf to much lol….but its worth a try…
Well here is my short list of Top 10 Black coaches in the area, who can get it DONE at Westlake in this order …#1 being the best fit and hire…
1) Kevin Whitley @ Stockbridge…. true winner and has won in the south fulton area before
Johnny White@ former Creekside HFC….great Defensive Mind…knows the area and kids
2) Rodney Cofield @ Douglass …losing right now but could turn Westlake around
3) Damien Wimes @ Miller Grove….he beat Stephenson enough sad…
4) Rodney Hackney@ Washington…Sound coach and with a proven record..to win right away
5) Dallas Allen @ Therrell …best shot…I hear he wants to come back anyway
6) Jasper Jewell @ former MG HFC…a long shot but hey he might …take a package deal ( AD/HFC)
7) Dominic Calloway @ Mays….I heard he not wanted at Mays anymore anyway…could be a good fit
9) Olten Downs@ Riverdale …one of the top coaches in CCPS
10) Rodrick Moore@ DC at Columbia ….he has alot swagger that Westlake needs
Really?
December 19th, 2012
10:21 am
I love it! A coach fails and it’s the parents fault. Really? You guys are idiots. Coaches need to coach on the field parents don’t call plays, set the lineup, run practice, prepare the game plan. Westlake couldn’t score a point in the second half. Check the stats. That’s the parent’s fault? No adjustment were being made at half. That’s the parent’s fault? Hiring your friends who didn’t know what they were doing. That’s the parent’s fault? Playing your girl friends son. That’s the parent’s fault? Failing to institute a real strength and conditioning program. That’s the parent’s fault? Really?
classof2010
December 19th, 2012
11:48 am
@Really? when coach all was coach I used to hate strength and conditioning I wonder what the kids do now
classof2010
December 19th, 2012
11:49 am
@Really? when coach allen was coach I used to hate strength and conditioning I wonder what the kids do now
countryboy2295
December 19th, 2012
12:56 pm
Coach whitley is A great choice but not with that ole fashion ass offense.You can’t win running wing t triple option offense in high school.
PO NO NO
December 19th, 2012
1:42 pm
@countryboy….Ppl that dont know HS football always say that…. and it sounds so dumb when u have teams like Camden Co…Marist, Woodward , North Clayton, Ridgeland, Tucker to name a few … who all run the wing t and all stay in the playoffs….it would seem to me I wouldnt care what they run as long as they win….westlake tried the whole spread no huddle thing with Minnis Remember they went 3-7 and 4-6…..so ummm Stockbridge was 2-8 team before Whitley took over…now they made to the playoffs the last three yrs in a row and they dnt have half as much talent as Westlake…. STOCKBRIGE played MARIST in THE 3rd round OF THE PLAYOFFS …. something Westlake has never done!
Larry Walker
December 19th, 2012
1:44 pm
They need to Hire Coach AL Hollie….Great defensive coach, great character, Good for students…just needs a chance!
classof2010
December 19th, 2012
5:31 pm
can people stop naming these big name high school coaches all these coaches they are not coming to westlake, Westlake is not going to be ish until they talent thats in the area stop transferring to other schools
Sandman
December 19th, 2012
9:18 pm
@ CountryBoy you obviously don’t know football nor have you ever coached a down because as Po No NO said and I want to add to it theat Grayson won the State title running the wing-t. St. Pius and Marist would beat the breaks off Westlake running the Triple Option because dumb A*(* like you would’nt know how to stop it. I go a step further I will add in a team like Riverwood that runs the triple option and turned that program around even beating Blowing out Grady last season. Also everyone is naming all these coaches that would be great for Westlake, Well truth is the word is out on the lake and the principal there adn many coaches are gonna stay away. Everyone know that as soon as a complaint is made to him the next coach is gone too. Now for everyone feeling sorry for Coach Pritchet he will be fine but he was warned before he took the job that things are done different here unlike the way the are done in APS but he still came in and did some things that were questionable and thats what got him dismissed. Finally it funny how everyone talks bad about Minnis but I can tell you this that team this year under Minnins would not have gone 0-10 and despite those that left players were still ready to transfer in and play for him. Funny thing is that no one here is mentioning the players that left when Pritchet came in and the players that were ready to hit the exits if he was returning.
WESTLAKErealness
December 19th, 2012
11:04 pm
@sandman- the fact of the matter is Westlake had there best two players leave because their dads were not allowed to step foot on the field and coach. Keenan Humphrey who was a quarterback and Todd Rahming who was the receiver. Both sophomores and their dads did not want their boys to ride the bench or handled like they were the year before under Minnis. They knew that some booster agents were going to make issues about playing time because their kids were seniors. Where I come from the best plays, age and grade doesn’t matter.
@really- you “really” should be REAL with yourself assuming you’re a parent. The booster club, Sandtown dads and parents had way too much power. That is a problem. No coach can build a successful program behind that crap. I’m sure they stressed the hell out of those coaches.
@noway and @nasty que psi phi….. I agree with you both!!!!!
@oldschoolparent- how do YOU KNOW WHAT GOT HIM RELEASED? You’re awfully adamant about him having support. You can’t be serious. That man did not have the support from administration, a blind man could see that. You must be one of the parents who got him fired for you to say what you said. No one else on here cared to know that. We want to know who our kids coach is going to be next year! Period!
Old School Parent
December 20th, 2012
12:03 am
@Westlakerealness – Homegirl, I have to respond to you because there is a HUGE misconception about parents and boosters powers at Westlake. If parents had that much power at Westlake it would be a whole lot of teachers without jobs. A parent (unless they are the principal or higher) has no authority to fire anyone. Yes, like @Sandman said, life at Westlake is different because parents and administration have not learned to work together for the best interest of Westlake. My kids are gone from Westlake and the same old stuff still exist. I stand by my comments.
countryboy2295
December 20th, 2012
11:10 am
Sand man you just let you know i been Coaching in ACC powerhouse for last few years. Nuff said
bh
December 20th, 2012
11:32 am
I hope that Westlake doesn’t make the same mistake that Creekside did and hire a Head Coach from Teach For America. An unexperienced HC at that. A HC that didn’t even show up to a coaches meeting to vote for the all region teams. A HC that missed almost the whole week leading up to their play in game with Drew. Forgive me if I’m wrong, but I thought that Teach For America teachers only taught for 2 years before returning to corporate America. How can you name a HC that doesn’t even intend to see his Freshmen graduate. Creekside still finished 7-4 despite not having a REAL HC. So, Westlake it’s not as bad as it seems just hire a HC that actually wants to be there instead of someone who will give you a half @$$ 2 year commitment. Oh I forgot, Westlake only gives a 1 year commitment. So Teach For America might be the way to go. Good luck.
Sandman
December 20th, 2012
8:45 pm
@Countryboy if you indeed are coaching at an ACC power then I am going need you to get that English together just a little bit better. “Sand man you just let you know i Coaching in ACC powerhouse for last few year. Nuff said”. Now let’s say in together the correct way ” Sandman, Just to let you know, I have been coaching at an ACC powerhouse for the last few years. Enough said.” I really hope you are not recruiting kids sounding like that.If so, whatever program your claiming to be a part of won’t be a powerhouse much longer, and let’s be honest no one in the ACC is currently a POWERHOUSE! FSU was the only team worth a pull pork sandwich and I know you are not with their staff. Also coaching at an ACC powerhouse could be simply a grad assistant or video coordinator that doesn’t mean you have a prioritized staff position i.e OC/DC/ WR’s/DB’s. Finally if you are really coahing an ACC powerhouse then why are you on here worrying about a HS coaching position when your focus should be on recruiting athletes?? Oh yeah almost forgot to mention,the triple option ran by G-Tech was never stopped and was at the top of all the major categories in the conference so my point is proven that you don’t know how to stop it.
WESTLAKErealness
December 21st, 2012
4:10 am
@oldschoolparent- HOMEBOY!!! riigghhttt…. I’m sure you’re kids are gone. Please! It’s not so much about the authority parents have, it’s the persistence of complaining and politics. Plus, if your children are no longer there, again how would you be so adamant about support the coach had and his reasons for firing. It really doesn’t matter. But, many of us parents with juniors and seniors see this firing as a huge problem. The men (dad’s) that got him fired did so for the wrong reasons. Period! Now some of our children are looking to go to Tri-Cities or Langston Hughes because of you “Sandtown” Dad’s that had a point to prove, which was out of spite. Every parent wants to see their child with a scholarship, but lets be clear. WESTLAKE did not have any outstanding upperclassmen football players. It is what it is. Get over it. Nobody wants to be honest about how sorry or average their son is. The coach gave some of you all the reality check that was needed and you’re upset. Be blessed…
go lions
December 21st, 2012
7:51 am
0-10 is unacceptable @ westlake, period!!!
Old School Parent
December 21st, 2012
9:06 am
@WESTLAKErealness – Again, I do not have any kids at Westlake, my son graduated last year and played under Minnis. The same thing happend under his leadership and the blame was put on the parents and administration. He too, did not accept any blame. From what I observed, I see no difference in the amount of support and complaints directed at Pritchett. This blog only hurts Westlake more by indicating to potential coaches that “complaining and politics” at Westlake will rule the day. However, potential coaches should also know that it was not always the case and does not have to dictate how they operate.. There will always be a handful of messy people (student or parent) on every team (ask tennis), booster, or even the PTA. A strong coach is what Westlake needs! One who has a plan and can execute, and most of all who cares about the students. It would also help not to come with a bag of drama. Why does Westlake not have any players on the rising senior team? Don’t say it’s because of lack of talent. Even Minnis would not have done that! At least we knew he cared about the kids. Good Luck Westlake.
WESTLAKErealness
December 21st, 2012
2:53 pm
@old school parent- we can agree to disagree. For every parent that says he didn’t care you have 10 saying he did. So, it is what it is. What bothers me is the main parents who complain and hate on the coaches take no ownership of it. Yes, a future coach does need to know that he will have some “Dad’s” that will think they can coach from the bleachers and run his program. That is a fact dear “oldschoolparent”. But after this drama from WESTLAKE we will be taking our talents to Langston Hughes. My child’s dad said he’s had enough of people not understanding their position. It’s unfortunate to the kids!
Show nuff
December 21st, 2012
3:20 pm
What i dont get is that all these parents on here complaining about things but they wanna take their kids to another school for what. If your son isnt good he gonna be same at any other school and that is a bench warmer straight up. You cant run from a problem, my solution is to make it better. Want you see who they hire first and the assistants that come along with the new coach before making a choice to go else where. I did my research on the guy name Phillip Hale at Archer from somebody name Countryboy mention. Everyone has said he is a great coach capable of turning things around. We will be staying at WestLake
countryboy2295
December 21st, 2012
3:30 pm
@ sandman you freakin cornball, ignorant coon ass dude. You dont know crap you talking bout. Dont hide behind this internet blog like you some kinda tough guy grammar police. For your info i do Coach a position on Offense in the Acc. Also while being disrespectful i wil be in town tommorrow visiting my family in Camp Creek how bout me and you meet in person like some grown men. I’m on this site because my folks move to Camp Creek area and my nephew is one of the top talents at that school. I want to know perhaps who they were considering. Besides you probally cant ven make any kids at all dump truck. You have no voice at all sucka. Besides we are done in recruiting for the year stupid ass. You are a waste of time for me acknowledgeing you. You right i dont have time for you are this but guess what i enoy what i do. By the way holla@ me hater
W-LAKE
December 21st, 2012
6:07 pm
Show nuff I agree with why transfer? Do they think langston hughes is without drama. Their is plenty of blame to go around regarding Westlake from overbearing dads to moms thinking their babies are not getting enough time to coaches bringing in friends instead of proven coaches and a principle who in my opinion did not give Coach P enough time to turn things around. But with that being said I want my son to learn to fight through adversity don”t just pick up and run, that is whats wrong with High School sports now Kids don’t get the starting job so instead of fighting for it mommy and daddy tell him that coach don’t know what he’s doing lets transfer to another school that coach will see how good you are, and guess what you won’t start over their either.Have some pride in your home school and if it’s not working help fix don’t just bail out. WE STAYING.
Show nuff
December 21st, 2012
9:23 pm
So i feel good in my spirit bout this and we will see how many kids comeback and stay because of this. stay tune folks and I cant wait to find out who we hired as head Coach but doesnt even matter if we can seal the deal with the Scott guy
Shownuff
December 21st, 2012
9:34 pm
I hear that Coach scott is a awesome young Coach that is respected by many Coaches. They say he is Offensive masterminnd that will score a tone of points. He reached out to Coach P this year and Coach was gonna bring him aboard
Shownuff
December 21st, 2012
9:36 pm
Also heard that he has strong relationships with alot of major college programs with recruiting exactly the person we need. Hear he wants to be Offensive Coordinator while he finish his degree. These Coaches spoke highly of him. So no matter who we get we need this guys to help turn us around and keep these kids ALSO. hE’S GONNA COME JUST WATCH
Sunshine39
December 21st, 2012
11:25 pm
I can’t believe you guys are over looking the best coach in the metro area. He hasn’t done anything but win on a consistent basis; not to mention the numerous players that have gone to college because of him. I’m not going to mention his name because we don’t want to lose him. So go ahead, keep over looking the BEST coach.