Union County High School’s Coach Larry Kerr is planning to step down from the head coach position of the Patriot Football team. While many would think this may shock the players or rock their world, the players would disagree. They have been expecting this and know what’s in store for them in the future. Coach Kerr’s son, Josh Kerr, who has been the offensive coordinator these three years under his father, intends to step up as the Patriot’s head coach in his father’s absence. The team is prepared to begin a new season with “Coach K” leading them in their endeavors.

There will not be the dramatic change in coaching styles that one might expect to accompany the transfer of responsibility for a football team. Instead, the players are comfortable with this change and are already accustomed to his methods, since he has been with them for three years. The abilities and important techniques admired by Coach Larry Kerr have been passed to his son—his passion for the game, his love for the team, and a push to not settle for less than what is possible - who will use them to continue the work his dad began.

The Union County Patriots were 0-26 before the arrival of Coach Larry Kerr—A Tennessee record. But the instant he met with the players, they knew he was there for them, and that they would win games. Quarterback Dalton Bradshaw said his first impression of Coach Kerr was “I immediately caught on that he knew a LOT about football, (which I’ve always wanted to expand my knowledge) and knowing that, you know, I definitely wanted to play for him.” Coach Kerr rallied the Patriots from day one. He got them excited to play the game, implemented new practice rules, and requested new training equipment and uniforms (which the school agreed to). They knew it wasn’t going to be easy and that Coach Kerr would be tough on them but they also knew that it was a “tough love”. Everything Coach Larry Kerr did for the Union County Patriots was for the team, and they knew that.

The players who were freshmen when Coach Kerr came were hoping that he would still be around until their graduation, and although it may seem he’s leaving before that can happen, they know he will be around even though he’s not the head coach.

What Coach Larry Kerr has accomplished at Union County High School in three short years is amazing. He developed the players and rebuilt the football program there. Quarterback Dalton Bradshaw says he developed as a quarterback and learned to be a leader on and off the field under Coach Kerr. Some things Coach Kerr taught him were to diagnose on the field, be responsible, improvise, and develop as a person.

Coach Josh Kerr intends to take these things his dad has built and the players he developed and take them to the next level. The team is ready to be led by him and the Union County Patriots will continue to grow and aim to win the State Championship.

Union County thanks Coach Larry Kerr for his leadership and investment in the High School Football program and welcomes Coach Josh Kerr!

We appreciate all of our coaches and teachers.