Brock Netter, Staff Writer
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
COVER PHOTO CREDIT: John Mankin
CHILLICOTHE — If T.J. Carper has proven anything as a coach, it’s that, with time, he can build a program into a winner.
It’s what he was tasked with doing when he started his tenure at Vinton County in 2021. He then took the Vikings from a middle-of-the-pack TVC program to a 9-1 conference champion in just three seasons.
Under Carper’s leadership, the Vikings were in the playoffs three times.
He’ll now look to have that same type of transition once again.
Carper was approved by Chillicothe’s Board of Education as the school’s next head football coach on Monday, taking over after the resignation of Scott Bartholomew.
“Coach Bart did a great job of instilling discipline, getting kids in the weight room and doing things the right way, and that’s what I’m all about as a coach,” Carper said. “Those things made him a Hall of Famer, and we’re just going to continue building off of that. ‘Doing things the right way’, you’ll hear me say that a lot and that means on the field, in the community and in the classroom. Winning off the field translates to winning on the field.”
He spent last season as Zanesville’s head coach, and while the final record wasn’t desired, there’s a lot of growth the team made, as well as Carper himself.
“Being at Zanesville for one year, it taught me a lot about building trust and getting kids to buy into what we’re preaching. It forced me to take a step back and reevaluate myself and how we do things,” Carper said. “The wins and losses come and go, but one thing I’m truly proud of is how those kids bought in. We raised our team GPA from 2.1, when I started, up to 3.2 at season’s end and our daily attendance was significantly higher. We saw growth in their off-the-field habits, and that meant a lot to me.”
In addition to Zanesville, alongside his three years prior at Vinton County, Carper also spent seven years as the running backs and defensive backs coach at Cabell Midland High School in Huntington, W. Va.
While he was a part of that staff, the team never missed the playoffs and made it to the state championship in the 2019 season.
The Bluefield, Va. native he also played college football at the highest level, spending time as a defensive back at Marshall University from 2007-2011. There, he was a two-time captain and helped the Thundering Herd win two bowl games.
Carper prides himself as a player’s coach and a culture builder. And at just 35 years old, he’s got the energy and experience to lead Chillicothe into the future.
“I get the chance to be closer to my family, and that means everything to me. I can’t preach a family atmosphere if I’m not leading by example and doing it myself,” Carper said. “I want us to be a family and that’s what we’re going to build. I’ve got the energy to do it and pour my time into these kids. We accomplished the family feel at Vinton County and I know we can do the same here at Chillicothe.”
With a career head coaching record of 21-21, he’ll now enter his fifth overall season. In the past two seasons, the Cavaliers are just 3-17. Carper will try and steer the ship back to its rightful path.
“There’s a ton of talent with guys like Cartae Ligon, Truitt McGlone, Jett McCallister, Nate Scissum and a number of players returning,” Carper said. “Now I have to let them see me for me and build that trust as their coach. I’m truly glad to be back in Southern Ohio and proud to be leading the Cavaliers. I’m excited to get started.”
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