Wheatmore looks in-house for new athletic director

TRINITY — Ken Wilson may have graduated from and began his teaching and coaching careers at Western Guilford High School, but it didn’t take long for him to become deeply dedicated to the red and white of Wheatmore High School.

The Warriors’ assistant football coach and head track coach will take on a new position as he will become WHS’ new athletic director on Sept. 17. Wilson will take over for Andrew Davis, who accepted the same position for Uwharrie Charter Academy.

Wilson is in his 13th year at WHS after spending 12 years at Western Guilford.

“When I came down here, it immediately felt comfortable and throughout the years, I am very passionate and probably loyal to a fault kind of person,” Wilson said. “If I am going be involved with a place, I am going to give it my all and over the years it continued to grow and be a part of me.

“I really wanted to serve the school in a larger capacity than being an assistant football coach and head track coach. I don’t think there is anyone who loves this school more.”

Wilson said after 12 years at Western Guilford, it was time for a change of scenery and he accepted a position at WHS.

“When I started at Western Guilford, they were all my former teachers and coaches,” Wilson said of his move to WHS. “I wanted to do something on my own and leave home.”

Wilson did not coach his first year at WHS, but joined the football staff in his second year and started to help with the track program as well. In 2020, Wilson was named head track coach, a position he also held at WG. He immediately added an indoor track program to go with the outdoor track program and continued to coach football.

Wilson, who went to Western Carolina to play football, left and attended UNCG.

“Wheatmore reminds me a lot of Western Guilford in the ’90s when I was a student-athlete there,” said Wilson, who is currently teaching Marketing and Entrepreneurship. “I really enjoy the small school setting. When you get involved with these kids, they feel like they’re yours and you feel responsible for them.”

That love for his school and his knowledge of the WHS coaching staff should pay dividends as he takes over the AD position.

“I have been here for so long I know all the coaches and developed a rapport,” said Wilson, who has coached more football games and track meets than anyone in school history. “They know me, I know them and that’s a huge advantage.”

Wilson, who said he had already planned to talk with Davis about helping him with athletic director duties this year, will finish the football season with the Warriors before relinquishing that coaching position at the end of the season. Wilson will continue to coach track.

“Right now, my plan for this year is to keep doing what Coach Davis has done and maintain that for a seamless transition,” Wilson said. “I will have trouble filling his shoes. For the rest of the year, I am going to carry on what he’s done and be a sponge and absorb as much as I can.”