Atlee Pond Leads White House High School into a New Era

Atlee Pond has stepped into the role of head coach for White House High School, bringing with him a deep commitment to restoring the school's cherished traditions and fostering a strong sense of community.

 

As a former player and coordinator, Pond's connection to the Blue Devils runs deep. His primary focus is to reignite the spirit of Blue Devil Pride (BDP) that has been a cornerstone of the program.

 

"A lot of it is about BDP," Pond emphasized. "I feel like that was one thing that kind of got lost along the way. Our main goal is to get back to those traditions and just bring back that BDP."

 

Since his appointment in April, following the departure of Ryan Hamilton to Liberty Creek, Pond has been proactive in rebuilding the program's culture. He has engaged with legendary coach Jeff Porter and former coordinators James Honeycutt and Jim Grantham, all of whom played pivotal roles during Pond's playing days in the early 2000s.

 

In a move to strengthen team unity, Pond brought the entire senior class to Sumner County Media Days and continued the tradition of participating in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes' passing camp this summer. He also reinstated a team-wide picnic, a cherished event from his own playing days.

 

Understanding the importance of continuity, Pond retained much of Hamilton's assistant staff, predominantly composed of White House alumni. Additionally, he brought legendary softball coach Cindy Towers out of retirement to support the team.

 

"You play hard for your brother," Pond explained. "If you're close and have a relationship with the guy next to you, it translates. You don't want to let your people down. You don't want to let your brother down."

 

The Blue Devils have a storied history, including a state championship in 1997 under Porter and a 2021 Class 3A quarterfinal appearance under Hamilton. However, the team faced challenges last season, finishing 4-6 and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2019.

 

Pond's coaching journey includes a three-year tenure as head coach at East Robertson before returning to White House as defensive coordinator. This season, he will oversee the offense, with former Liberty Creek assistant Cliff Barna coordinating the defense.

 

Implementing a new offensive scheme reminiscent of his East Robertson days, Pond is making strategic position changes. Last season's quarterback, Easton Biggs, is transitioning to slot receiver, while senior Jaydn Schultz is poised to take over as quarterback after a strong spring performance.

 

Joining Biggs on the outside is 6-foot-4 basketball standout Louis Taylor, returning to the team after a hiatus. "I was really excited to be back and come play with everyone. Just have fun, really," Taylor shared.

 

Returnees Rucker Sample, Trenton McCormick, and three-sport athlete Jake Soporowski add depth to a robust receiver lineup. With the graduation of key seniors like Kenny Holt and Dawson Carson, Pond acknowledges the open competition across the field.

 

"Throughout the interim process, I feel like our staff and our kids, we came together," Pond said. "We've got a lot of great kids. We've got athletes. But the thing we're more focused on right now is culture and the family atmosphere."

 

In addition to on-field changes, the school is addressing infrastructure needs. Following the collapse of bleachers at Beech High School in 2023, structural assessments revealed issues at several schools, including White House High School. Plans are underway to build a new on-campus stadium, with an anticipated opening in August 2025. This development aims to provide a safer and more accessible environment for players and fans alike.

 

As the Blue Devils prepare for the upcoming season, the community eagerly anticipates the impact of Pond's leadership and the revitalization of Blue Devil Pride.

 

2025 SCHEDULE

 

Aug. 22 at Portland

 

Aug. 29 at DeKalb County

 

Sept. 5 vs Station Camp

 

Sept. 12 vs White House Heritage

 

Sept. 19 vs Westmoreland

 

Sept. 26 at Glencliff

 

Oct. 3 vs Greenbrier*

 

Oct. 17 vs Liberty Creek*

 

Oct. 24 at Pearl-Cohn*

 

Oct. 30 at Springfield*

 

*Denotes Region 6-4A game