Pruitt holds high

expectations
By Steve Behr
sports@wataugademocrat.com

New Watauga football coach Tim Pruitt knows when he took the job last week, high expectations of a rejuvinated fan base would go with it.

That’s OK with him.

Pruitt, 38, comes to Watauga from West Wilkes and is very aware of the Pioneers’ recent success. He knows that Watauga reached the state 4-A semifinals in its last two seasons.

“I think it’s a great opportunity,” Pruitt said. “Obviously it’s a step up in the coaching profession. Also, it’s a situation that’s in good shape. The place I’m leaving is in good shape, but opportunities like this only come open ever so often.”

He also knows that the Pioneers begin the 2008 season without All-State running back Eric Breitenstein, All-State guard Casey Augustine, All-Northwestern 4-A Conference center Mike Farris kicker Savva Kostis, and other seniors, including quarterbacks Adam Chiarolanzio and Blake Beason, who will graduate this spring.

But that doesn’t mean that Pruitt will be making excuses going into next year. He met with players on Monday and will continue to meet with those involved with the program and with the school in general over the course of the next few weeks.

“There are expectations everywhere you go,” Pruitt said. “The first place you have to deal with expectations are the ones of yourself. I have high expectations of myself and I have high expectations of my coaching staff and high expectations of our players. When I said I have high expectations, I’m looking for winning performances on a daily basis, not just winning performances on Friday night.”

Pruitt takes a 26-32 record from West Wilkes into Watauga. After a slow start when he finished 2-9 his first year, he eventually finished 7-5 two straight seasons before going 9-3 last year.

He will evaluate the personnel before making any concrete decisions as to what style.

Pruitt “was brought up on” the Wing-T offense, but said his style has evolved into a Spread offense-hybrid which often has just the quarterback in the backfield.

He said he’ll use a system that will fit the type of players the Pioneers have.

“I don’t see myself bringing my old system, so to speak,” he said. “In the last three years, mine has evolved into a spread, shotgun where we’ve lined up with no backs 25 percent of the time. So, I think we’ll try to merge a few things. There are things I like to do in the passing game that I think are easy to teach and are easy to install and that will fit into what’s been done here. But that’s all something that’s done way down the road, making decisions like that.”

And it’s not like the Pioneers lost all of their weapons from last year. Devan Corum was impressive as the jayvee quarterback and showed signs that he could take over the varsity during limited playing time in playoff games. He also played linebacker on the varsity level, particularly when David Alger was injured.

Receivers Cam Steury and Baine Martin return, though Martin also saw time at running back to give Breitenstein a breather. Travis Oliver and Baker Stanley also had productive seasons on the jayvee level.

“Each year is different,” Pruitt said. “I’m going into this without blinders on and I have not made individual inquiries about individual kids. I know there are certain (jersey) numbers when I’ve watched film making certain plays. The coaches are going to help me along that line and we’re going to work together to put the kids in the right places.”

Until then, Pruitt has plenty to do before practices begin in August. The Pioneers open with Davie County.

“I get to meet all of the people involved in this program,” he said. “I’m looking forward to meeting the people with the boosters and the kids. It’s evolving thing when working on relationships. I have to get myself up here so the kids can understand what coach Pruitt’s all about and what I’m going to expect of them.”