Coach Pruitt originally hails from Gainesville. This is Coach Pruitt’s 3rd year at West Forsyth High School; he is a veteran coach with 24 years of experience not only coaching baseball but football, as well. After playing baseball for Piedmont College, Coach Pruitt started coaching at Forsyth Central where he coached for 10 years—5 of those years as head baseball coach, leading the Bulldogs to 5 consecutive state playoff appearances and one Final 4. After leaving FCHS, Coach Pruitt spent 8 years at Gainesville High School and then went on Flowery Branch where he coached for 4 total years. Coach Pruitt and wife of 18 years, Cindy, have three beautiful children: Kel, 16; Cade, 13; Anna Reese, 9.
Coach Rickett is a native of Forsyth County and a graduate of South High School. After graduating high school, Coach Rickett attended North Georgia College and played baseball for the Saints as a third baseman. This is Coach Rickett’s 7th year coaching at West but his 8th year of coaching high school baseball. He also coaches Wolverine Softball where he took over as their head coach before the 2011 season. Justin teaches PE and is an Apex lab facilitator here at WFHS. Coach Rickett and his lovely wife, Erin, will celebrate 5 years of marriage in June. They have a 1 year old baby girl named Baleigh Grace.
Coach Ernst grew up in Lake Zurich, Illinois. After high school, he attended the University of Iowa and DePaul University, playing baseball for one year at U of Iowa. Of the 10 years that Ernst has coached high school baseball, he has coached 7 of those years here at West. He has also coached Wolverine swim team, water polo and softball. Coach Ernst teaches biology here at West Forsyth. Coach Ernst and his wife, Jacqueline, have two children: Camden, 7; Quinn, 5
Coach Thomas a Forsyth County native, graduated from Central High School in 1993. Heath played baseball at Piedmont College and went on to graduate from Kennesaw State. This will be Thomas’ 3rd year coaching at West. Heath teaches P.E. at Haw Creek Elementary. Coach Thomas and his wife of 17 years, Julie, have two children: Caelan, 14; Lauren: 12
Coach Coleman graduated from North Forsyth High School in 1998. After walking on at UGA and playing baseball for them during the 1998-1999 season, he transferred to North Georgia College where he was competing for baseball scholarship until an auto accident ended his career. This will be Coleman’s 3rd year coaching at WFHS but it’s his10th year coaching high school. He has also coached football, softball, and track. Andy teaches here at West in the Career Tech Department. Coach Coleman and his amazing and beautiful wife, Sarah, have two perfect little girls: Lilly, 7; Hartley, 2 years; and 1 year old baby boy named Hasten!
Coach Holbrook grew up in Forsyth County and graduated from Forsyth Central High School in 1992. He went on to attend Reinhardt College and North Georgia College. Coach Holbrook is the Head Football Coach at Liberty Middle and has coached baseball at West Forsyth for the past 3 years.. Coach Holbrook and his wife, Michelle, have three children: Ella, 9; Hunter, 7; Gracen, 4.
After graduating from Cartersville High School in 2002, Coach Startup went on to play at the University of Georgia. In 2005 he was drafted by the Braves but was traded to the Padres in 2007. He was signed by the Orioles in 2010 and is currently a free agent. He has been coaching in some capacity for the past 10 years. Coach Startup and his wonderful wife, Lauren, have been married for 8 years and have a son, Copeland, who turned 3 this past October.
SOFTBALL COACHES
Coach Rickett is a native of Forsyth County and a graduate of South High School. After graduating high school, Coach Rickett attended North Georgia College and played baseball for the Saints as a third baseman. This is Coach Rickett’s 5th year coaching at West but his 6th year of coaching high school baseball. He also coaches Wolverine Softball where he took over as their head coach this past fall season. Justin teaches PE and is an Apex lab facilitator here at WFHS. Coach Rickett and his lovely wife, Erin, will celebrate four years of marriage in June.
Coach Ernst grew up in Lake Zurich, Illinois. After high school, he attended the University of Iowa and DePaul University, playing baseball for one year at U of Iowa. Of the eight years that Ernst has coached high school baseball, he has coached 4 of those years here at West. He has also coached Wolverine swim team, water polo and softball. Coach Ernst teaches biology here at West Forsyth. Coach Ernst and his wife, Jacqueline, have two children: Camden, 4; Quinn, 2
Coach Coleman graduated from North Forsyth High School in 1998. After walking on at UGA and playing baseball for them during the 1998-1999 season, he transferred to North Georgia College where he was competing for baseball scholarship until an auto accident ended his career. This will be Coleman’s first year coaching at WFHS but it’s his 5th year coaching high school. He has also coached football and track. Andy teaches here at West in the Career Tech Department. Coach Coleman and his amazing and beautiful wife, Sarah, have two perfect little girls: Lilly, 5; Hartley, 1