CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (ESPN CLARKSVILLE) – Three years ago, Northwest head football coach Vernon Wright set out to do what most coaches do when they are hired: win football games. Coach Wright has not only done that, but also created a culture that knows what winning feels like, and what it takes to get there.
Each of the past three seasons, the Vikings have continued to get better, including a post season appearance last year against Macon County. Coach Wright knows that it has been a process, and will continue to be as his program moves forward. The Vikings must have some players step up this upcoming season to keep things moving in the right direction.
“We lost 24 seniors and from experience standpoint, we lost a great deal of guys that have started for three or four years. Adversity will always strike, and we cannot lose our minds when bad things happen,” Wright said. “If we can keep our composure and stay the course, we will be fine.”
When a coach can change the culture of a program, a lot of good things can happen, including more students that are playing, greater attendance at games, and overall more excitement around the team.
“I initially changed everything I could. The locker room, uniforms, schedule, practice plans, and game events. Even the paint on the field. The biggest contributors to our change has been an overwhelming passion to not have that losing feeling. I have some guys that went 1-9 as freshmen,” Wright said. “They got their teeth kicked in and they hated every minute of it. If you take that with a plan and some athletes, and you have a chance. Our administration and community have been supportive as well.”
The Vikings make the jump to Region 7 5A this year and will renew some old rivalries with Clarksville High School, Northeast High School, and Henry County. They open their 2017 campaign at Southwestern in Kentucky on August 18.
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