Westwood football hires Tiftarea assistant as head coach

Jimbo Hale went into coaching through his work as a physical trainer. And he’s looking to bring that background with him into a new endeavor.

Westwood announced Thursday that Hale, Tiftarea’s defensive coordinator, will become the Wildcats’ football head coach and athletics director.

“Strength and conditioning is a passion,” said Hale, who also served as Tiftarea’s strength and conditioning coordinator. “How I got into coaching was through training athletes, and the camaraderie of being part of a team was what I wanted. I love the weight room, and I love watching kids grow, both physically and through their character.”

Hale takes over for Ross Worsham, who served for 12 years as Westwood’s head coach.

Worsham also was the school’s headmaster, duties that will be taken over this summer by George Walton associate headmaster Kevin Cloud.

“We are pleased to welcome Jimbo Hale and his family to Westwood,” Cloud said in a news release. “In his career, Jimbo has proven himself to be a person of great energy, strong work ethic and Christian character.”

Hale’s resume includes two head coaching positions in Georgia. In 2012, he served one season at then-GISA Class 2A member and current GICAA member Covenant Academy in Macon, going 1-9 in the program’s fifth year of existence. He then served a two-year stint as Oglethorpe County’s head coach in 2014 and 2015, going 2-17 with a GHSA Class 2A program that has enjoyed just one winning season since 2000.

He said one of the things that attracted Hale to Westwood was the ability for his wife, Jessica, to join him on the teaching staff at the school. They have four children.

“We were looking at a small school environment,” Hale said. “I’ve kept up with Coach Worsham, I’m an admirer of his and what he did. When I found out the job was open, I felt led to apply.

“I’ve got peace in my heart with this. The people were great, accommodating and helpful. It’s exactly what we’re looking for.”

Hale is a graduate of Trinity Bible College, obtaining a master’s degree in kinesiology from Georgia Southern.

Westwood went 2-9 last season, 0-2 in GISA Region 3-2A play. Worsham led the Wildcats to three region and two GISA championships during his tenure.

Hale will be one of five coaches in the Albany area in their first year as head coaches with their respective programs, joining Olten Downs at Westover, Damien Gary at Dougherty, Larry Harold at Americus-Sumter and, in an interim capacity, Frankie Carroll at Worth County.