OAKWOOD, Ga. — West Hall is bringing back a familiar face to take over the baseball program while at the same time current baseball coach, Brannon Humphries, will pivot to take over the girls softball program.
West Hall Athletic Director David Wagner made the announcement Monday that former Spartans player and 2014 graduate Zach English is returning to his alma mater to take over for Humphries. It is the second time English had returned to his alma mater. He first returned to West Hall as an assistant coach from 2019 to 2022 for baseball and football. During his tenure at West Hall, he served as the infield coach, pitching coach, base running coach, and assistant head coach. Since the fall of 2022, English has been an assistant at Flowery Branch High School for both baseball and football.
“We are beyond excited to bring Coach English back to West Hall,” Wagner said. “Coach English has coaching experience with the (Spartans) program and playing experience at the collegiate level. This made him the unanimous choice.”
English played baseball at LaGrange College from 2015 to 2018, contributing to two conference championships.
“I am very blessed that God has given me a chance to achieve my lifelong dream of becoming a head coach,” English said. “I am ecstatic about returning to my alma mater and to have the opportunity to lead a program that I have known for more than a decade. I have been fortunate to learn from baseball-minded people, and specifically learn firsthand from Coach Humphries and Coach Dusty Black (Flowery Branch). Coach Humphries has built a solid foundation for the West Hall baseball program, and now it’s my job to build on it and grow a consistent winning culture. I believe that West Hall is on the verge of a breakthrough in athletics, and I’m looking forward to seeing the future of sports at West Hall!”
Humphries, who led the baseball program for the past five season, was upbeat about his new role with the softball program.
“The decision to step away from baseball was tough and took a lot of time praying and talking with my wife,” he said. “I feel we needed some fresh blood to take steps forward as a program. Having been in the West Hall community for the last nine years, I still wanted to contribute and I feel like taking over the softball program would allow me the opportunity to continue to give back. I am excited for this new chapter and looking forward to getting started with the girls.”
