Coach William Patrick has been the varsity football head coach at the high school since 2018, and has called Louisa home since 1989. With football often being seen through a lens of physical strength, wins and losses, and who can run the ball the farthest, it can be easy to lose sight of other valuable lessons and objectives that come with the game of football. Coach Patrick, along with the entire varsity coaching staff, has set the standard higher for those both in and out of school, athlete or not, and in our community.
“The game of football is similar to life; you’re going to face adversity and challenges,” Coach William Patrick said. “I believe it is one of the greatest tools for young men to be able to learn these skills to apply to their lives and attitudes.”
After his graduation from Louisa, Patrick attended James Madison University where he played all five years with the exception of a singular redshirt freshman year. This motivated Patrick to work harder, compete stronger, and learn from coaches who hold significance in his life to this day. His attitude led him to the starting line-up for the rest of his time playing.
During his years in the NCAA, he received the “Scout Team Award” two years in a row out of 10 other defenders on the team, which is extremely rare in college football. He also won the John David Kraus Award. He was a part of the very first national championship-winning team in his senior year in a game against the University of Montana. Patrick had the opportunity to see how being prepared, practiced, and silently working hard paid off and set his team up for success in the championship. These particular traits that Patrick learned are now just a few of the significant characteristics that the Louisa football program embodies through his coaching.
“Having the opportunity to play on the team taught me what it really means and feels like to be a champion,” said Patrick. “You learn that each day matters.”
Coach Patrick was the varsity offensive and defensive coordinator for over 10 years, working right beside former coach Mark Fischer. Filling the shoes of beloved Coach Fisher was not a position that could be easily stepped into by just anyone. This opportunity required extensive knowledge of the game and a clear sight of how our county represents Friday night football each week. With his experience playing college ball, Patrick has carried the skills and regimens that he learned at JMU to players at the high school throughout the years. Preparation for games has become a prominent way of ensuring success and confidence amongst players, and it distinguishes our program from others in the district.
“Coach Pat has stood in the same positions we are in right now before,” senior Lavartrell Creasy said. “It puts into perspective how far our program can go beyond green and gold and the impact all of us could potentially have.”
The support of local businesses and helping one another, or in times of need, is a regular part of everyday life in our small town. Local residents communicate with Coach Patrick consistently. They look for players who can lend a helping hand or attend an event being organized. Patrick has had young men on the team travel around the county to move furniture for those who may ask, read books to elementary students, hand out food bags to families during holidays, pass out Christmas presents, be present at locally sponsored events, and participate in “Stuff the Bus” as a team.
“We remind the boys that it is important to give back to our community,” assistant coach John Konoza said. “We happily help out and provide our support where we can.”
Patrick’s parents have a family-owned barbecue business, Smokin Eddie’s, located on 213 W Main Street in the heart of the town. On every home game, the restaurant provides a hearty dinner for the team’s pre-game meal, and coaches and players all gather to eat together. Patrick’s parents started the business when he was in high school. They also had a mobile barbecue trailer and a location in Ruckersville. Eventually, his mother decided that one location in the town where they had lived for over 30 years would be the perfect place. Patrick and his family not only make an impact on the football field but also in the service and face-to-face interactions with community members each day. The restaurant has become more than just a treasured local business by connecting players under the Friday night lights,to the fans in on the bleachers who cheer them on.
“It is a nice touch having both of my parents around and incorporating the business into game days,” Patrick said. “I have a lot of support from my family, and they support the boys as well.”
