Tim James Glad to be Back Home at East Ridge

East Ridge, TN-(WDEF) Tim James is back at his old stomping grounds this season at East Ridge High School.
James coached the Pioneers football team for seven years before leaving in 2008 to start up the football program at Heritage.
James left the Generals in 2013 and was working in school administration, until he got the call last April to return to his roots.
Said James while addressing his team-“Make sure you look good for the camera all right.”
It’s easy to see that Tim James is glad to be back coaching at his alma mater.
Said James”Really I feel fortunate that I’ve got this opportunity to come back to what’s home for me and my family. I was pretty much raised here from the time I was old enough to walk. I was born right across the ditch here. My dad was here for 30-years. It’s the same East Ridge. Same cafeteria. I see my picture hanging on the wall from the class of ’82.”
The biggest change for James is the stadium, which bears the name of his father Raymond James.
The home stands are gone after being condemned last season. The football team’s locker room was also underneath the stands.
Said James-“We’re dressing in the old gym. It’s kind of a dungeon like area. It’s a challenge. It’s a challenge. Fortunately though, the school board has appropriated funds to replace the stands and the field house.”
The loss of the home stands didn’t bother East Ridge last year, they went 12-1. Best year in school history.
And James says this year’s team will be talented as well.
Said James-“We’re very athletic. The thing that probably concerns me more than anything is our depth in particular when you talk about the offensive and defensive lines. We’re kind of thin there.”
The big question is the health of running back Traniel Moore, who rushed for two-thousand yards last year.
He’s still recovering from a knee injury.
Once Moore does get healthy, that should makes James return even sweeter.
Said James-“It’s good to be home. It’s good to be home.”