Alan Wilmes was in a similar position about four years ago. Only this time, he got the job.
Wilmes, after applying for the job a second time, was named the next Park Hill South head football coach on Friday, Jan. 25, replacing Mike Sharp, who held the role the past four seasons.
Alan Wilmes
“Park Hill South is such a great place,” said Wilmes, who was beat out for the same job by Sharp four years ago. “I love working here with great people and it’s been a great experience. There’s a lot of good football players, it’s just a great place to be. I’m just excited to take the next step and lead the program into a new area, building upon what coach Sharp has built and prove ourselves and help these young men grow into being better sons and good fathers as they grow up.”
Wilmes sought the position as an unknown in 2015 after serving as the defensive coordinator for three years at Francis Howell, his alma mater, in the greater St. Louis-area, in addition to five years of defensive coordinator experience at Timberland High School in Wentzville.
Despite the unfamiliarity, Wilmes made an impression on Panthers athletic director John Carr the first time around.
“When I hired Mike, Alan was interviewed for the job too. And I didn’t even know who he was,” Carr said. “His wife’s family is from here and I was told about him. He had a great interview so I thought he’d be great as a defensive coordinator. I was hoping that Alan would come anyway, and he did a great job. Things just worked out.”
So when Wilmes had another shot for the head position this winter, he made sure he nailed the interview.
“When I came here and didn’t get the job I used it as motivation to work hard and learn under coach Sharp and do the best for the program then and that really helped me fall in love with Park Hill South,” said Wilmes, who was Sharp’s defensive coordinator the past four years. “This time when I had my opportunity I did the best I could to prepare and give it my best shot.”
Wilmes has been put in charge after the Panthers went 2-8 last season. He has named Zach Wierzbicki the offensive coordinator, but is still interviewing candidates for his former role, defensive coordinator.
Carr was happy to hire from within, saying that there wasn’t a need for dramatic change.
“We weren’t really a 2-8 team,” Carr said. “We had more injuries than you can shake a stick at and we were competitive in every game. Mike Sharp was doing some really good things with our kids, and I just felt like we had to continue on that path instead of destroying everything we’ve done and started from scratch.
“Alan’s a very capable football coach,” Carr added. “He had been a state title game as a defensive coordinator for Francis Howell, so he knows what it takes to get there. I really feel like he’ll lead us there.”
And Wilmes is confidence in his ability to lead a program, albeit this being his first shot.
“We’re really and excited and we’re going to bring a lot of energy into this program and a lot of enthusiasm,” Wilmes said. “We’re excited to go out and compete and have fun. … (Sharp) taught me to do things the right way and to do it in a way where young men are always watching and are here to help them grow into men. It’s about more than winning championships and games; there’s something else that’s deeper and important. It’s teaching them how to do things the right way and be accountable and be better sons, husbands and fathers.”