USJ names new athletic director, head football coach

JACKSON, Tenn. — The University School of Jackson has a new athletic director and head football coach.

The school announced on Wednesday that Derrick Pritchard will be taking on the role and leading the Bruins.

They say Pritchard comes from Nashville, where he was the Associate Head Football Coach/Defensive Coordinator, Head Softball Coach, and Associate Athletic Director for Ensworth.

“After an extensive search process to find the best person to continue our great tradition at USJ, I am honored to welcome Derrick to our leadership team and to have him leading our student-athletes and coaches. Coach Pritchard’s character and professionalism are integral in advancing our mission on the football field and our administrative team. I could not be more pleased to have him and his family joining our USJ family, nor more excited about the next chapter of Bruins athletics and football with him at the helm,” said USJ’s Head of School Don Roe.

USJ says though he is coming from Nashville, he has roots in West Tennessee, working in Chester County, at Trinity Christian Academy, Union City, and Lambuth University in various positions.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the University School of Jackson football program and Athletic Departments,” Pritchard said. “My family and I could not be more excited to return to
Jackson and join the USJ community. I am grateful for the last eight years I have spent in Nashville with the Ensworth community. We will miss the relationships we created there, but we are excited to rekindle old relationships in Jackson and forge new ones in the Bruin community. I look forward to continuing to help our students grow and flourish, guiding them in finding success and becoming active members of their communities.”

You can read more about Pritchard in the full news release from USJ here.

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