Whetstone named West Muskingum’s head football coach

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The West Muskingum School Board announced Thursday night that former assistant coach and Millersport head coach Josh Whetstone will lead the Tornado football program next season.

Whetstone’s predecessor, Lee Hurst, officially resigned Thursday night during the board meeting.  The Tornadoes finished the 2016 season 0-10.

Whetstone coached the Tornadoes for four years under the direction of former head coach Jeremy Ketcham, before spending the last two years as the head coach of his alma mater, Millersport High School.

“It was incredibly tough to leave Millersport,” Whetstone said. “I have lot of family and friends there, but I have to do what’s best for me and my family.”

Whetstone was tempted to take the West Muskingum job last year, but felt the timing wasn’t right.

“Being one-and-out anywhere is going to be in poor taste,” he said.

Athletic Director Aaron Bates feels that Whetstone is the perfect candidate for the job.

“He’s a really well respected guy around here,” Bates said. “He’s aware of the progress we’re making and thinks he can be a piece of that.”

Whetstone is a graduate of West Liberty University, where he was a three-year starter and all-conference selection for the Hilltopper football team. He also teaches music and is in charge of the choir department at West Muskingum High School.