Ridge Steps Down At WB

Juggling family, football, administrative duties leads to tough decision

Justin Ridge speaks with Blount Press Row after being hired as the William Blount coach two years ago. Photo by Jolanda Jansma

By Stefan Cooper
Editor
Blount Press Row

Balancing family, football and assistant principal/athletic director is an awful lot.

Eventually, the grind wasn’t doing anyone any good, leading Justin Ridge to step down as William Blount High School’s football coach on Monday.

Ridge has been head coach of the Governors for two seasons. Last July, the William Blount graduate added athletics director/assistant principal to his football coaching duties. With a wife and young family, Ridge said he felt it best someone else take the helm of the Governors.

“I feel like we’re in a position where William Blount has the time to hire someone,” he said. “Last summer, I took over as AD and assistant principal. Trying to manage that with my family and football it was just not fair to anyone.”

Ridge will remain in the assistant principal/AD position. The former Greenback coach had already left the sideline when hired by the Governors, stepping down at the time to take a position in the central office of the Loudon County Schools systems.