Special to Iredell Free News

Iredell-Statesville Schools announced Wednesday that Sean Fitzgerald has been hired as the new head football coach at West Iredell High School.

Fitzgerald spent the last six seasons as an assistant football coach at Lake Norman High School. He replaces Matt Wilson, who recently was named the head football coach for Newton-Conover High School.

West Iredell High Principal Benjamin Johnson said finding the next Warriors’ coach was not something he took lightly.

“We put in a lot of work over the winter break to get to this point,” Johnson explained. “I reached out to a list of people that has worked with Coach Fitzgerald in the past. He checks all the boxes of what our student-athletes need as a football coach and what we need to move our program forward.”

The decision was made after soliciting a variety of feedback.

“The football players and parents have been providing feedback on the characteristics they look for in a head coach. There were also some transparent conversations with our stakeholders,” added Johnson.

Fitzgerald said he is excited about the new opportunity.

“I feel incredibly lucky to have been chosen by West Iredell’s administration to lead this awesome group of young men,” he said. “I can’t wait to lead this football program in accomplishing its goals.”

Fitzgerald played college football at Mars Hill College in western North Carolina. After graduation, he accepted a job teaching and coaching in Newton-Conover City Schools. During his eight seasons at Newton-Conover, he coached on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.

Most recently, he has completed six seasons at Lake Norman High School as the offensive line coach, offensive coordinator, and head strength and conditioning coach.

Fitzgerald and his wife Jessica have two children, Michael and Sarah Grace. He is expected to begin his duties at West Iredell High School in February.