Trent Williamson to lead Westland football program as first-time head coach

Having grown up a few miles away from Westland in Grove City, Trent Williamson understands the pride the students have in their football program.

He also realizes the Cougars last reached the postseason in 2006, but that doesn't dampen his enthusiasm for his first head-coaching job. Williamson was approved by the South-Western City Schools board Monday to replace Rick Rios, whose contract was not renewed after five seasons.

“Being a head coach for the first time is very exciting,” Williamson said. “I’m ready for the challenge. I’ve been around football my whole life. Anytime you take on something like this, you go into it confidently. I’m focused on the future right now. ... I’ve always loved Westland and I love the kids and the way they can put their nose down and go to work.”

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Westland went 6-39 under Rios and is seeking its first winning season since 2006, when it finished 7-4, losing to Upper Arlington 28-21 in the first round of the Division I, Region 3 playoffs.

The Cougars’ best finish since was in 2015, when they were 4-6.

Williamson, 28, attended Pleasant View Middle School and was anticipating attending Central Crossing, but he enrolled at Williamsport Westfall after a failed levy forced the cancellation of South-Western fall athletics in 2009. His brother, Vinnie, also enrolled at Westfall and played quarterback before graduating in 2010.

A levy later was passed and athletics were reinstated for winter 2009-10, but the Williamsons chose to remain at Westfall.

Trent Williamson graduated in 2013 after twice being named first-team all-state in Division IV. He went on to play linebacker at West Virginia State, graduating in 2017.

He was an assistant at Washington Court House the past five seasons under his father, Chuck. Earlier this month, Chuck Williamson stepped down after seven seasons to become the coach at Marion Harding, pending school board approval. The elder Williamson previously was an assistant at Central Crossing and Westland, and he also guided the Pleasant View program.

“We really enjoyed our time together at Washington Court House, but he thought it was time for a new challenge and I felt the same thing,” Trent Williamson said. “We decided to go our separate ways and we’re both excited for each other. We’re literally best friends. We talk every day. I’m sure we’ll call each other after every practice.”

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Trent Williamson’s father-in-law, Gary Barber, was the football coach at Westland in 2000 and 2001.

He will remain as a mathematics teacher at Washington Court House, but hopes to eventually teach at Westland.

His coaching staff will include his brother, Deric, 24, who will serve as offensive coordinator after being an assistant at Washington Court House for three seasons. He is a 2017 graduate of Central Crossing, where he played quarterback, and went on to play at Mount Saint Joseph in Cincinnati.

“It’s a dream come true,” Deric said. “This is home for me, so to be able to coach these guys in my own community is really special. Since my playing days I’ve always wanted to come back to this area and be able to bring success to a program that may have not had much in the past because these kids deserve to win.

“It’s really exciting for myself and my brother. We’ve talked about this for years, so for it to come to fruition is unbelievable. We grew up running around Westland as kids when my dad used to coach there, so it really has come full circle for us. We’re very excited to get this program rolling at a high level.”

Trent Williamson has fond memories of his father coaching at Westland.

“Somebody commented (I have gone) from water boy to head coach,” he said. “I grew up at Westland and was running around throwing footballs. I was the water boy on the team, ball boy and now being the head coach, it’s a surreal moment.”

fdirenna@dispatch.com

@DispatchFrank

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Trent Williamson named Westland High School football coach