USJ football hires Ensworth assistant Derrick Pritchard as Bruins coach
University School of Jackson hired Ensworth assistant Derrick Pritchard as its football coach and athletics director Wednesday, according to the school's interim athletics director Martha Sheffield.
Pritchard is expected be at USJ for a "meet and greet" at 3:30 p.m.
Pritchard takes the reins from Michael Stroup who resigned Jan. 4 to take over Gallatin's program. Stroup spent six seasons at USJ, competing in Division II-A, going 51-23 with TSSAA state runner-up finish to Davidson Academy in 2019 and 2020. The Bruins finished 10-2 in 2022.
"Coach Pritchard is from west Tennessee and he has varied and extensive experience in coaching and leading young people," USJ head of school Don Roe said. "He understands how to run a big-time athletic program, and USJ is in a great place because we've had a lot of growth. From grades 7-12 about 70% of our students play some form of organized athletics."
Pritchard has nearly 20 years of coaching experience throughout the state. He'll take over a program that moves from DII-A to AA in 2023 with West Region opponents that include Northpoint Christian, St. George's, St. Benedict, Lausanne and Evangelical Christian.
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And he's no stranger to the Jackson area.
Pritchard was the offensive and defensive coordinator at Trinity Christian in 2008-10 and also served as an assistant baseball coach. He spent the 2015-16 season at Ensworth as the linebackers coach, and returned to the school in June of 2017 as the defensive coordinator, softball coach and the school's assistant athletics director.
"We're excited to have him come home," Roe said. "We're excited about what he brings to the table. But more importantly, he brings the right values. He's done this for a long time with a great reputation. He's a man of integrity and a man of faith."
Pritchard also spent time as an assistant coach and athletics director at Battle Ground Academy (2016-17), Chester County (2011-14) and Union City (2006-07).
Pritchard helped guide Ensworth to a 7-4 record in 2022. The Tigers lost to McCallie, 38-28, in the Division II-AAA quarterfinals.
Reach sports writer George Robinson at grobinson@gannett.com and on Twitter @Cville_Sports.
This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: TSSAA football: USJ football hires Ensworth assistant Derrick Pritchard
