Reetz adds impressive experience to Porter Gaud coaching staff
By David Shelton
Staff Writer
Charleston – Experience is important as a player or a coach. Porter Gaud football coach Rick Reetz knows that and has done some creative maneuvering to add valuable knowledge and experience to his coaching staff for 2010.
As he enters his second season at the school, the Cyclones coach has added three coaches to aid in the rebuilding of the program.
Coaching receivers this fall will be former Summerville High All-American Jimmy Harrell, who went on to excel as a receiver and baseball player at the University of Georgia in the early 80’s.
Added to coach the offensive line is Chris Werden, who just completed his college career at Elon and was an All-Southern Conference selection and professional prospect. His father, Jim, is a former high school coach in Charleston.
Assisting with the development of the linebackers at Porter Gaud is Wes Pritchett, a second-team All-American at Notre Dame in 1988 and a member of Lou Holtz’ National Championship team.
“We’re very fortunate to have such quality people involved in our program,” said Reetz recently. “They’ve have invaluable experience and they love kids. They have instant credibility with the players because of their past experiences as players at a very high level.”
While Werden is a first-year coach, Reetz says he may become the most valuable member of the coaching staff because he just finished playing.
“He played at Elon and they run the spread like we do so it’s very fresh in his mind,” said Reetz. “He understands the game so well, a very smart young man. He knows all of the drills, he knows everything about this offense.. He’s going to be a tremendous help to our offensive linemen.”
Steve Budge returns to the varsity staff this fall and will continue to coach the quarterbacks. Chris Tate returns to coach running backs.
On the defense, long-time area high school coach David Reese is back to coordinate the defense. Al Wilson will coach the defensive linemen and Lou Dische will coach the secondary.
Greg Martin will be the head junior varsity coach and Keith Bowman will direct the b-team.
“This is a great staff,” said Reetz. “We have a lot of returning players and we feel like having a year under our belts together is going to be a big difference.”
Porter Gaud was 5-5 last season, a pretty solid record considering Reetz did not get the job until late summer. The Cyclones have higher expectations this season.
“Certainly with the number of players we have returning and having had a full off-season with them, we feel like we should be improved,” said the coach. “We still have a lot to prove. This group of players has never had a lot of success and that is still a hurdle we have to clear. But I think we have a chance to be very competitive this season and I think our players share that confidence as well.”
