Richie Wessman
Ravenwood won the Class 6A football state championship last December, but two weeks later saw its coach leave to pursue a new challenge.
Tuesday they introduced the man who hopes to keep the Raptors relevant and continue the program’s winning ways.
Former Titans offensive quality control coach Richie Wessman was introduced as the new coach of the Raptors Tuesday at a press conference in Ravenwood’s performing arts center.
“Everything about this program is fantastic,” Wessman said. “With the coaching staff I’m putting together and the plan we have to be successful, there’s a lot of big things for us in the future and it’s going to be a lot of fun for around here.”
Wessman brings an impressive resume with him to Ravenwood.
His most recent job was as an assistant at the University of Minnesota Crookston, where he coached quarterbacks and wide receivers. Prior to that, he spent five seasons with the Titans, where he filled many roles and eventually took over as the offensive quality control coach.
Before his coaching career, Wessman was a quarterback at the University of Southern California, where he was a part of back-to-back national championship teams, including a 13-0 season in 2004.
He played under Pete Carroll (now Seattle Seahawks coach) and alongside future NFL quarterbacks Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart and Matt Cassel.
Wessman began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Clemson and Ole Miss, where he coached quarterbacks.
He has big shoes to fill at Ravenwood. He replaces Will Hester, who led the Raptors to a 27-16 upset win over Maryville in last year’s Class 6A state championship game before leaving to become football coach and athletic director at Nolensville High School, which will open next fall.
Hester compiled a 38-4 record in his three years at Ravenwood and led the Raptors to two District 11-AAA championships, a Region 3-6A title and a pair of BlueCross Bowl trips, culminating in last year’s state title.
Wessman said he is ready for the challenge of maintaining the high standards.
“The last staff did a fantastic job,” he said. “For me, I’m going to hold myself to those kind of high expectations anyway, so it’s really not any different. We’re coming here with a point to prove for sure.”
Ravenwood athletic director Danny Borne said that the school had more than 175 applicants for the job. Principal Dr. Pam Vaden said one reason Wessman seemed like the perfect fit was his list of references, which included Carroll and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy.
Wessman had the opportunity to meet with the team in the locker room before the announcement.
“I’m fired up to work with them. That’s a great group of kids,” he said. “In 163 days we kick off against Siegel. It’s time to get to work.”
Reach Sam Brown at 615-259-8232 and on Twitter @SamBrownTN.