by: Brighton McConnell
Coach Craig Pritchett’s hiring was announced January 23. He’ll take over the BHS football program beginning the fall of 2015. (Courtesy Photo)
After searching weeks for a new prospect to lead Brevard football, Transylvania County school officials recently announced their decision to hire Craig Pritchett as the new head coach for Brevard High.
The announcement was made following a special Transylvania County Board of Education meeting on January 23 to approve their employment recommendation of Pritchett and a press release was issued immediately after. It ends a search for a new coach that began December 1 when the county school system announced that they would not be renewing Coach Jason Lippard’s contract for the 2015 season.
Craig Pritchett has a long resumé that displays success both recently and in the past. He currently is the defensive coordinator at Ridgeland High School in Georgia and has helped coach their football team for the past 10 years. The team has won four region championships since 2008 and played in the 4A state championship in 2012.
Pritchett also had an impressive college career. He played football at Tusculum College, where he was a 4 year starter as well as a 4 year team captain. Pritchett won numerous awards while attending Tusculum, such as the Defensive Freshman of the year award in 2000, the President’s award in 2003, and being voted an All-American in 2003. He was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in 2014.
After the Board of Education’s approval was made, Pritchett commented on his excitement of taking over the helm of Brevard High football. “I look forward to leading this program to new heights, raising the expectations and pushing student athletes to not only be champions on the field, but live like champions in all aspects of life,” he said.
Brevard’s Athletic Director Mick Galloway also expressed his excitement of the hiring. On Pritchett’s coaching achievements and ability, he commented, “He played a vital role in a program at Ridgeland that has a produced great success over his tenure. We are excited that Coach Pritchett will bring a toughness, strong work ethic and passion back to Brevard High Football.”
The decision to search for a new head coach came after Brevard’s second winless season in three years. In Lippard’s two years at the school, the football program went 6-6 in 2013 before going 0-11 in 2014.
Brevard High announced recently that there will be a celebratory breakfast to welcome Pritchett on January 31. The event will be held at Creekside Subs from 6:30-8:30 and is open to the public.