Upton returns to Pioneer sideline – Longtime WCHS coach working with freshman line
A familiar figure is back looming on the sidelines at WCHS football practice.
Coach David Upton, a longtime member of Pioneer football staffs since the late ’80s and currently the head coach of the Lady Pioneer softball team, has returned this season and is working with the freshman team’s offensive and defensive linemen.
The addition of Upton, as well as coach Mike Droese, the football staff came after freshman assistant coach Brian Morgan resigned to take a job in his hometown of Manchester.
Droese had already joined the team prior to Morgan’s departure, spending much of the off-season working with players on their strength training regimens.
Upton, who played for the Pioneers from 1978-80 before earning a full scholarship to MTSU, joined the Warren County Junior High coaching staff in 1989, and moved up to the high school ranks in the mid-’90s.
He rejoined the staff at last week’s camp to offer his expertise, joining coaches Matt Turner, Jeff Watson, Jeff Lee and Droese in their practices with the linemen.
‘I have some down time before the softball team starts its workout schedule, and thought I’d try to help out,’ Upton explained. ‘I’m happy to do it, and just want to do whatever I can to help teach these linemen and get them prepared for the season.’
Having been away from the football sidelines for several seasons, Upton did note one major difference between coaching football players as opposed to the Lady Pioneer softball squad.
‘In coaching softball, my girls are always there, hurt or not,’ he said, ‘but I come back to football, and some of these guys get a hangnail or something and they want to sit out of practice. If they want to be competitive, some of these guys are going to need to toughen up; and maybe along with the rest of these coaches, I can help out with that.’
Pioneer football officially kicks off Aug. 23, with a freshman home game against Coffee County. The varsity hits the Nunley Stadium field Aug. 24, taking on DeKalb County.