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Williamsburg High School has a new football coach, and he's someone with ties to the local area.
Ryan Hileman, who coached the Blue Pirates' junior high team last season, was hired Tuesday night by the Williamsburg School Board to replace Bob Hearn, who had stepped down at the end of the 2018 season after 10 years with the program.
"I've gotten to know Ryan for some time now and I think he is a very good choice," said Hearn, who is also the school's athletic director. "I think he will do well with the program."
Hileman is a 2002 Central High School graduate who played on the line and at linebacker under Jack Krider. He also played at Juniata College -- a 2006 graduate -- under both Kevin Burke and Darrell Ault.
"I grew up in this area. I have ties to this area and I wanted to get back and involved with this program," said Hileman, who had been working and coaching in Virginia for three years before returning to the state. "I thought it was a good time to come back."
Hileman, who is a project manager for Prough's Masonry, has already been working with the players in the offseason, most notably in the weight room. He also admits getting more players to come out is also one of his main tasks.
"I know these kids. They are a great group of kids," he said. "They were young last year … only five seniors, I believe, so our younger kids have experience."
Hileman has not picked a staff yet, or even met with his players as their head varsity coach, but that is all on his agenda as of now.
"They did know that I was applying for the job," he said. "We want to build momentum for the season. I want to try and get more kids out."