After 10 seasons and two state championships, Jimmy Weekley is stepping down as head boys’ soccer coach at Baylor School.
Assistant coach Curtis Blair is the replacement for Weekley, who will continue to coach the girls’ soccer team and serve as an assistant for the boys.
“I felt in some ways like both teams were getting shortchanged with me coaching them both,” Weekley said. “That was one of the many reasons why I thought it would be great for Curtis to take over. I know he’ll do a great job.
“I started thinking about this maybe a couple of years ago. This will allow me the opportunity to spend more time at home with my family. I have four boys who are starting to get involved in sports, and it’ll be nice for me to get to see them play.”
Weekley led the Red Raiders to Division II state titles in 2000 and 2007, and the former Covenant College star has six state championships and more than 200 victories in his 12 years as the Baylor girls’ coach.
“For a long time, Chattanooga soccer and Jimmy Weekley have been synonymous,” Baylor athletic director Thad Lepcio said. “Now to have Jimmy and Curtis in the same building, I couldn’t think of a better situation for both our soccer teams.
“We felt the timing was right. When we were able to get Curtis three years ago, we hoped that someday we would be in position to make that split. I think it’s important for both programs to have their own coach.”
Blair was an all-state player at Soddy-Daisy High School before playing at Tennessee Wesleyan College. He also served as coaching director for the Tennessee State Soccer Association before taking over as head boys’ and girls’ soccer coach at Ooltewah High in 2004.
He guided the Lady Owls to their first Class AAA state-tournament berth that season and took the Ooltewah boys to the state in 2006. When Blair left the Owls to join the Baylor staff, taking over one team for Weekley was part of the long-term plan.
“Jimmy talked to me, and we both sort of had the same goals,” Blair said. “Doing two teams sort of runs you down. It’s hard to go from fall to spring with no down time. One of the reasons for me coming to Baylor was to eventually take over one program, with us being the assistants for the other. That was our ultimate goal.
“So far the guys have been great. They’ve bought into the things I’ve asked them to do. Jimmy and I have the same philosophies about what we want out of our kids, and I’ll be looking for the same kind of results.”
And while Blair will be looking out at his team this spring from Weekley’s former spot on the bench, it may take a little time for his new assistant to adjust to the switch.
“I’ve been an assistant coach before, and I know it’s something I can do,” Weekley said. “I do think it will be hard in some ways, especially because of our senior guys. I think I have a good relationship with them, but the positive thing is I’ll still get to be around.
“I think a lot of the guys knew I wasn’t going to be the boys’ coach for much longer. They have a lot of respect for Curtis, and I think it’ll be an easy transition. I’m excited for him.”
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