Ehrlich named head soccer coach at WHS

Uwe Ehrlich has been named men’s and women’s soccer coach at Watauga High School.

A hiring committee nominated Ehrlich and his recommendation was approved by the Watauga Board of Education during its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, July 13.

Ehrlich comes to Watauga from Wilkes Central High School.

Ehrlich earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Appalachian State University in 1976 and completed the requirements for a master’s degree in English Education from the University of Saint Thomas in Minnesota in 1987.

Ehrlich has worked with Wilkes County Schools as a German and English teacher and English Teacher since 1990. Since 1992, he coached the Varsity Women’s Soccer Team at Wilkes Central High School.

Ehrlich also coached the junior varsity men’s soccer team at Wilkes Central High School from 1992 until 1997.

This past season, Ehrlich led Wilkes Central’s women’s team to the third round of the NCHSAA 2A playoffs with a 12-5-2 record.

In 2008, the Lady Eagles were 17-9-1, appearing in the regional semi-finals of the NCHSAA 2A playoffs.

Ehrlich inherits a Watauga High School soccer program that saw both teams appear in the state playoffs last season. The men’s team went 14-6-1 overall, 10-2 in the Northwestern 4-A Conference, finishing in second place. The Pioneers beat Berry Academy in the first round of the playoffs and lost to East Mecklenburg in the second round.

The women’s team went 7-9-3 overall, 6-4-1 in the NWC. The Lady Pioneers lost to Providence in the first round of the state playoffs.

Johnny Gailes served as interim coach for both teams during the 2008-09 season. He replaced Doug Kidd who left to become coach at Swansboro High School last July.