New Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Lee Hutto with his wife, Hollie, and son, Patterson. Lee Hutto has been named athletic director and head football coach at Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High School for the 2009-2010 season.

In a called meeting of the Wilkes County Board of Education Thursday night, February 5, the board voted unanimously to name Hutto, who started his coaching career here, to the position. He was welcomed along with his wife, Hollie, and son, Patterson, and other family members.

Hutto replaces Coach Russell Morgan, who resigned after being told that his re-appointment as head coach would not be supported by school board members.

The new Tiger AD said that coming to Washington-Wilkes was like coming home. "I started my career here in 1997, as defensive line coach under first Coach Brooks then Coach Vohun. So I'm looking forward to the opportunity, and we're excited - this is a great move for us. Wilkes is a great community and a great place to live, and I can't wait to get started."

"I'm just delighted to have Coach Hutto joining our athletic family," said Wilkes County School Superintendent Joyce Williams. "I believe he will help unite our community around athletics in our school system."

Hutto, a 35-year-old Thomson native, returned to his alma mater to coach the Thomson defensive line under Coach Luther Welsh for five years, then went to Glynn Academy. He has spent his last three years at Warren County, helping lead the Screaming Devils to the Class A state playoffs all three years.

Hutto says he'll be meeting with his Tiger players and coaches, but first he had to say goodbye to his Warren County team. "It's hard to say goodbye to my Warren players. They took a chance on me, and they've been great. I'll miss them, but I know they'll build on what we made there."

After saying goodbye to his old team, Hutto met Friday with his Tiger coaching staff and players. "We already have a lot of the pieces in place, with a great sports staff, and a great tradition. Wilkes County always has had talent, and I just have to get in there and get the discipline and organization to where it ought to be, get the weight program where it ought to be. It's a challenge, but it's exciting and I look forward to it. And it's not just football on Friday night, we want our kids to be successful in the total athletic program."

Thursday night, Hutto made it clear that he intended to make a home with the Tigers. "This is the kind of job you never want to leave," he said. "I don't want to ever have to leave Wilkes County - it's that kind of place. Similar to Thomson and Lincoln County, you've got a lot of great support, a great football tradition, you've got everything in place to be successful. How could you ask for more?"