Long Time Coaching Friends Ted Gatewood and Tim James Match Up on Friday

When East Hamilton visits East Ridge on Friday, two long time friends will match wits in Hurricanes head coach Ted Gatewood and Pioneers head coach Tim James. Said Gatewood:”Our relationship goes all the way back to junior high. Tim was at East Ridge, and I was at Red Bank. When you compete against guys at other schools, you develop relationships.”
Said James:”His dad actually brought me back from a state tournament one year.”
James even got to know Gatewood’s mother as well.
Said James:”She was our school secretary when I came back to East Ridge or when I was at East Ridge the first time from ’98 to ’08. I always called her ‘Momma Gatewood’ because she took care of me.”
Last year for the first time, James and Gatewood squared off as head coaches as East Ridge beat East Hamilton 21-13.
Said James:”I don’t know how you put it. It’s kind of. You’re happy for your kids, but he’s your friend, and you hate it because you’ve been on the other side of the coin before. So there’s a little empathy there.”
For now James and Gatewood are commiserating.
Both the Pioneers and Hurricanes are struggling on offense.
Said Gatewood:”Last two weeks, we have had a hard time scoring on air. But that’s attributed to doing some different things and new things with it and trying to get our kids to understand what we are doing.”
Said James:”I think graduation has hurt us both over probably the last two or three years, and I think we are looking for some answers.”
While one coach will come away victorious on Friday, you can never beat a great friendship..
Said Gatewood:”The thing about Tim is he is funny. He has a great personality. He encompasses everyone and makes people feel comfortable.”
Said James:”He is who he portrays himself as. If he tells you something, you can take bank that that’s the truth.”