By Stan Veitch/Sports Correspondent
You may not know the name “Shea Monroe,” but give it time. Monroe has been hired as the new football coach at Westbrook Christian School.
Monroe, who spent the last three seasons as offensive coordinator at Lincoln High, replaces Tony Osborne, who retired in November after 21 years as head coach.
“I have yet to meet (Osborne), but I know he’s a really good man and a great coach,” Monroe said. “So I can’t say exactly what I’ll change. I don’t know how to be anyone but me, anyway. After seeing some film, the only thing I know for sure is I’ll emphasize the run a little more.
“You pass to score but you run to win.”
WCS athletic director Matt Kennedy said he received about 30 applications for the job. He trimmed it down to six or seven, then after further review, narrowed it to Monroe and one other coach.
“We were looking for an energetic coach who will help make the athletes into men of character,” Kennedy said. “I can see it in him that he will do just that. He’s already coming to basketball games and getting to know some of the players.”
“Energetic” is a word that Monroe used to describe himself. He also said that one of his strengths is his work ethic.
“I won’t be outworked by any coach,” Monroe said. “And I want that to transfer over to the team. I want a team of hard workers who aren’t afraid to be physical.
“I want our opponents to wake up on Saturday morning and think, ‘Man, we played Westbrook and they really hit us.’”
Monroe is also bringing in a new staff of assistants – almost. One of last year’s coaches will remain. And one Westbrook teacher who didn’t coach last year will be on the staff.
Otherwise, all but one coach has been put in place. Monroe is still trying to hire one coach.
A Logansville, Ga., native and Jacksonville State graduate, Monroe was a student assistant under former JSU head coach Jack Crowe. He then was an offensive line coach in Dublin, Ga., before arriving at Lincoln High.
Monroe will be thrilled with his first season if the Warriors make the playoffs – a goal that hasn’t been met in three years.
“I want us to be competitive in every game,” he said. “And I’d love for us to break that non-playoff streak.”
The Warriors finished 3-7 last year while competing in Class 3A, Region 6.