Coach Wellmaker is a teacher that has recently joined the Armuchee Tribe as the middle school has come up to join the high school. He is serving as the ISS teacher and is also a coach for the football team. Coach Wellmaker commended the tribe on a warm welcome when he said, “Absolutely, not only from the staff but from the students as well so I feel very happy to be here.” He also stated that his
favorite part about Armuchee is the hospitality that he feels.
Coach Wellmaker brings both experience in the classroom and on the field. Before he was teaching at Armuchee, he was at a 5A school in Walton County where he had both teaching and head coaching experience. When asked what brought him to Armuchee, he said that it was the area that he loved and was drawn to that led him here. He also said, “I’m here to make an impact, to show players and students what it means to be a good servant to their community, their parents, their families and just showing what it means to be well-rounded individuals.”
Not only is Coach making a positive impact in the classroom, but he is also a big part of the football program as an offensive and defensive line coach. He leads players not only in drills to get better at football but keeps them accountable to be better students and young men. Coach Wellmaker said, “I love the kids, they are hard workers, committed, and have high character, so it has been a great time.” This affirms the love and dedication that he puts into the program.
The players Coach Wellmaker is coaching have given a very positive outlook on him. Senior athlete Gabe Blackburn said, “He’s a good offensive line coach who will fit into our coaching staff very well.” Noah Vannatter, freshman, added to this by saying he is a very kind and knowledgeable coach.
Friday night football is the thing that Coach Wellmaker is most excited about. The team is currently off to a great start this season at 3-1, which is better than last year. The offensive and defensive line has performed well on both sides, showing improvement from the start of the summer. Coach Wellmaker has helped the culture as well, by emphasizing that hard work will win football games.
