Pisgah head football coach resigns

Nov. 13—It's the end of an era for Pisgah football.

Head coach Brett Chappell has resigned as head coach, a position he's held for the last decade. Chappell ends his tenure with 10-straight playoff seasons.

The announcement was made in a joint press release from Pisgah Principal Clint Conner and athletic director Heidi Morgan on Monday morning, three days after the Bears fell 23-16 to Oak Grove in the second round of the state playoffs.

"This decision was made after careful analysis of all the components related to Pisgah High School football by the school's administration, athletic department, and Coach Chappell. The school would like to express its appreciation to Coach Chappell for his contributions and hard work during his time at Pisgah High School. We wish him success in his future coaching endeavors," the press release read.

Chappell's arrival in 2013 kicked off a decade of winning football in Canton, highlighted by numerous Mountain 7 Conference titles and a nine-year winning streak over rival Tuscola that ended in 2022. Chappell leaves Canton with a 94-39 record (70.7 win percentage), and his Bears never missed the playoffs in 10 seasons, with an 8-11 playoff record.

Chappell's impact on his players extended beyond the field. He led the program through three challenging situations: the Covid-delayed 2020 season, the flooding in August 2021 and the closure of the Canton paper mill in early 2023.

When the Covid-19 pandemic struck in 2019, the fall football season was delayed until spring 2020. Despite the North Carolina High School Athletic Association limiting the number of playoff teams to stop the spread of the virus, the Bears still qualified for the playoffs.

After the 2021 floods damaged the Bears home field, Pisgah Memorial Stadium, Pisgah was forced to play two straight all-road game seasons. Despite this, Pisgah made the playoffs each of those seasons.

And this past year, when Canton's largest employer, the Pactiv-Evergreen paper mill, announced it would shut its doors by summer, Chappell and his staff were tasked with keeping players and their families' best interests in mind yet still fielding a competitive football team.

The Bears rebounded off a tough 2022 campaign with a 9-3 record, second place in the conference and a home playoff win in the recently renovated Pisgah Memorial Stadium.

Community reacts to coach's departure

Sentiments about the caliber of man and coach Chappell is and was during his tenure at Pisgah poured in from players, coworkers and community leaders.

Pisgah Booster Club President Mark Pinkston said Chappell has been a pleasure to work with since he started over a decade ago.

"Every time there was a need, he spent time educating us on why the need was there and how the need could be fulfilled while still being fiduciary. I've enjoyed working with him throughout his time here," Pinkston said.

Pinkston said Chappell significantly influenced his son Luke, who's playing college football at Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee.

Luke Pinkston, who played for Chappell from 2018-2022, experienced what may have been the four most challenging years Pisgah had endured since its creation in 1966: the Covid-19 pandemic in 2019 and 2020 and the floods that damaged the Bears home field in 2021.

"My four years with him showed me he knew when to be your friend and when to get to business," Luke Pinkston said. "He had great composure but still fought for his team."

Luke Pinkston said Chappell is the best head coach he's ever had through youth, high school and college sports.

"I believe the legacy he's left behind is among the best in Pisgah's history," he said.

Mikell Clark-Webb, who has photographed Pisgah sports for The Mountaineer for over a decade, said she was always impressed by how Chappell put kids first.

"Often, he tells the students that he and the coaches want to build fine young men of character. He encourages them to savor these moments together with their teammates, friends and family," she said.

Clark-Webb described seeing Chappell correct a player, then pat him on the back and ask, "Do you understand what I'm talking about, son?"

He has high expectations but also has a lot of heart for them," she said.

Two of those players, senior Breydon Reynolds and junior Eli Hyman, said Chappell was a guiding force in tough times.

"Through all the adversity, Coach Chappell helped us stay on task and focused," Reynolds said.

"Through wins, losses, ups and downs, he never quit on us," Hyman said. "He was always there for us."

Clark-Webb added that Chappell is a man of few words, making it more meaningful when he tells someone he appreciates them.

"He has worked with my husband, Jack, on press box info and has worked very well with us in the Pisgah Booster Club," she said. "We wish him and his family the best, and I will miss being on the sidelines with him and his son Bryson."

Morgan Smith, one of Chappell's coworkers at Pisgah and head cheerleading coach, said Chappell will always be a member of the Pisgah family in her mind.

"I believe he has left his mark on Pisgah and this community forever. He is thankful and gracious. He pushes his athletes to their breaking points but builds them back up as he shows them their accomplishments. He remains stoic in the face of adversity but shows heart and determination towards the things he cares about," she said.

Cheerleaders' hard work and dedication can often be overshadowed by the football team's exploits on the field, but Smith said Chappell went out of his way to include them.

"He believes in inclusion. He has shown me this many times by making sure my cheerleaders are always included in the things he does with his football players. He believes in manners and hard work," she said.

Smith knows all too well the responsibility of being a head coach, and Chappell's track record speaks for itself in that regard.

"As head coaches, I believe that it is our responsibility to help our athletes become successful adults in every area of their lives," she said. "This means teaching them accountability, to be respectful and to be thankful. I know Coach Chappell was successful at this because I have many friends who have credited that to him. Coach Chappell is a great role model for any coach, especially anyone starting a head coaching job."

Smith said she is beyond grateful to work with and learn from Chappell.

"He has taught me to love my athletes more than my sport and that dedicating yourself to the success of a program can, in return, be rewarding," she said. "I know he will be missed by me and my cheerleading program."

What's next?

Pisgah is now searching for its next head coach.

"The search for a new Head Football Coach will be diligent, professional, and efficient," the Pisgah statement read. "The search will involve a small football advisory group and begin immediately to ensure a smooth transition for the football program. Pisgah High School administration will remain dedicated to finding a new head football coach that best fits our student-athletes, school, and community."

Coaching candidate inquiries should be directed to Conner or Morgan.