2019 Coaching Staff
Jimmy Upchurch - Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator Western Carolina '88) 18th Season (144-86)
Head Coach Jimmy Upchurch completed his 17th season as the Wildcats' head coach.
Coach Upchurch and his staff have continued to bring excitement and enthusiasm to the City of King. He has led the Wildcats to 16 straight NCHSAA 2A State Playoff berths, while making it to the second round in 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2017. In 2019 the Wildcats finished as 2A West Regional Runner-ups to eventual state champion Reidsville. The Wildcats won the 2AA State Championship in 2011 while finishing unblemished at 16-0. Under Coach Upchurch, the Wildcats have earned four conference championships, with him being named conference coach of the year in 2011, 2015, and 2018.
He has helped 53 players’ advance to the college level while at West Stokes. He was instrumental in helping start the West Stokes Prowlers little league team back in 2004 and today reaping the benefits of the organization with the current players.
Coach Upchurch has coached at Forbush, Surry Central, and East Surry. Coming from East Surry as the Defensive Coordinator in 2003, he helped lead the Cardinals to one of the top defenses in the state in 2001 and an appearance in the Western 1A Finals.
Coach Upchurch and the Wildcats finished the 2019 season 11-4 and has an overall record of 137-81 while at West Stokes. He has led the program to 95 wins in the past 10 seasons. The 2018 team averaged 40.5 points a game, the best in school history. The program only had 4 wins before Coach Upchurch came to King. He has led the Wildcats to 15 Stokes County Championships, winning 13 out of the last 15.
Upchurch played high school football at East Surry under legendary coach David Diamont and graduated in 1984. He graduated from Western Carolina University with a B.S. Degree in Chemistry & Business Administration Management in 1988. He earned his teaching certification from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Coach Upchurch and his wife Crystal of twenty-two years, have two daughters: McKenzie 22 and Madison 18.
Coaching Record |
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Year |
Wins |
Losses |
Conference |
PF |
AVG |
PA |
AVG |
Playoffs |
2003 |
3 |
8 |
Central Carolina 2A |
155 |
14.1 |
219 |
19.9 |
No Playoffs |
2004 |
6 |
6 |
Central Carolina 2A |
227 |
18.9 |
267 |
22.3 |
First Rd. |
2005 |
5 |
7 |
North State 2A |
227 |
18.9 |
251 |
20.9 |
First Rd. |
2006 |
5 |
7 |
North State 2A |
265 |
22.1 |
351 |
29.3 |
First Rd. |
2007 |
6 |
6 |
North State 2A |
272 |
22.7 |
286 |
23.8 |
First Rd. |
2008 |
9 |
4 |
North State 2A |
304 |
23.4 |
208 |
16.0 |
Second Rd. |
2009 |
8 |
5 |
Northwest 1A/2A |
352 |
27.1 |
267 |
20.5 |
Second Rd. |
2010 |
7 |
5 |
Northwest 1A/2A |
360 |
30.0 |
262 |
21.8 |
First Rd. |
2011 |
16 |
0 |
Northwest 1A/2A |
517 |
32.3 |
207 |
12.9 |
State Champions |
2012 |
7 |
6 |
Northwest 1A/2A |
230 |
17.7 |
284 |
21.8 |
Second Rd. |
2013 |
9 |
4 |
Western Piedmont 2A |
328 |
25.2 |
205 |
15.8 |
Second Rd. |
2014 |
8 |
5 |
Western Piedmont 2A |
340 |
26.2 |
216 |
16.6 |
Second Rd. |
2015 |
11 |
2 |
Western Piedmont 2A |
423 |
32.5 |
267 |
20.5 |
Second Rd. |
2016 |
6 |
6 |
Western Piedmont 2A |
272 |
22.7 |
270 |
22.5 |
First Rd. |
2017 |
9 |
4 |
Western Piedmont 2A |
340 |
26.2 |
254 |
19.5 |
Second Rd. |
2018 |
11 |
2 |
Western Piedmont 2A |
526 |
40.5 |
201 |
15.5 |
Second Rd. |
2019 |
11 |
4 |
Western Piedmont 2A |
471 |
31.4 |
232 |
15.5 |
Regional Finals |
2023 |
7 |
5 |
Mid-State 2A |
289 |
24.1 |
236 |
19.7 |
Second Rd. |
Totals |
144 |
86 |
|
5885 |
21.6 |
5927 |
21.7 |
(17-16) |
Jimmy Upchurch |
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Born: |
November 20, 1965 |
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Hometown: |
Pilot Mountain, North Carolina |
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Family: |
Wife - Crystal; Daughters - McKenzie & Madison |
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Education: |
BS Western Carolina (1990) in Chemistry; BS Western Carolina (1992) Business Admin. Mgmt; ED University North Carolina at Greensboro |
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Playing Experience: |
East Surry HS (1980-1984) |
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Coaching Experience: |
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West Stokes (Head Coach) 2003-present East Surry (Defensive Cord.) 1999-2002 Surry Central (Defensive Backs) 1998 Forbush (Linebackers) 1996-1997
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Milestone Victories |
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Christopher Nelson - Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
Entering his seventh year, as member of the Wildcats coaching staff. He is the second oldest of four, from Robert and Alice Nelson. Graduated from Oak Hill High School, in West Virginia, June 2002. While in high school he played football, basketball, and ran track. After high school he attended Johnson C. Smith University, in Charlotte, NC, where he played football. He graduated from Johnson C. Smith, in 2007, with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting. He received his teaching certification in Physical Education from Winston-Salem State University in 2013.
Luke Bowen - Wide Receiver Coach
2010 Graduate of West Stokes and former player under Coach Upchurch. Entering his ninth year on staff as the wide receiver coach. Graduated from Bridgewater College in Virginia after playing football for three season. Played one season at Guilford College. Resides in Pinnacle, N.C.
Brandon Dawson - Wide Receiver Coach
Entering his seventh year at West Stokes. Graduated from East Surry in 2008 and played under legendary coach David Diamont. Coached three years with the King Dolphins leading them to a state championship in 2014 and two years with the West Stokes Prowlers. Attended Surry Community College in Dobson, N.C. and Owens Community College in Ohio. Works for Cooks Medical Supply in Winston-Salem and resides in Mount Airy, N.C. Attends Poplar Springs Church of Christ where he is an active member.
Robert Money - Head Statistician
Married to wife Julie with four children; Austin, Elizabeth, Jack, and Saleen and he also has eight grandchildren; Addy, Izzy, Boyd, Piper, Finn, Hank, Lila, and Cliff. Entering his 21st year on the staff at West Stokes. Has volunteered and coached with 29-years of experiences in the surrounding communities. Graduated from South Stokes High School in 1986 and attended Forsyth Community College. Employed at YMCA Camp Hanes as the Food Service Director and The Stokes News as the sports editor. Resides in King, NC.