Lebanon football coach Tyler Pritchett is building a culture of ‘riders’
There is a new culture coming to football in Lebanon.
Last March after suffering through a third consecutive undefeated season, the Cedars decided to go in a different direction by hiring Tyler Pritchett – a former offensive lineman America grew up in Alabama playing football.
After taking drastic measures for cedars, Pritchett’s goal is to change that perception.
“I think these kids are hearing a lot of things that they can’t do,” Pritchett said. “That’s something that worries me a lot because as adults, it’s our job to make sure we take care of and take care of the next generation.”
Lebanon’s new coach at the start of football; that becomes clear when we know him.
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Pritchett grew up as a talented offensive lineman before playing at the University of North Carolina for two seasons. After deciding to leave UNC and Faulkner, he spent a season at the Division II level where he earned first team all-conference honors as well as All-America honors. Following his playing career, Pritchett spent the 2023 season as the athletic coordinator for the University of Virginia at Lynchburg, a Division III program.
Now, all of his time coaching football has led him to coach student-athletes in Lebanon.
“When I got here in April, we only had five kids come to practice, and at one point, we went from five to 10,” Pritchett said. “Well, of course, we’re out here with about 40 kids … I’m lucky.”
Pritchett only had one short season to put on his custom, and it ended up highlighting his team’s mindset.
“The ability to persevere through adversity, I think is huge not just for our kids, but for any kid,” Pritchett said. “That’s one thing our kids showed, but I think it’s also something that took a while for us to understand. I think we’re starting to hit on that now.”
The new Cedars coach brings a lot of energy to the field, but he also knows his job involves being authentic.
During the exercise, Pritchett made an effort to get the staff involved in the process. Pritchett and his coaches are vocal, but they also work hard to train the team when strength is needed.
“If you’re willing to invest in them, I think they see that, and they don’t take it lightly,” Pritchett said.
As a first-year coach, it’s not easy to lead a team that hasn’t won a game in three seasons. The new Lebanese coach has a simple message, but it comes up often in practice.
“My father always taught me that you only control two things in life, they are your thoughts and your efforts.” Pritchett said. “I really tried to instill that in the kids, and I think they’re starting to take it and compete.”
Pritchett’s background in the game is deep, so when he developed his staff he made sure that football experience was the main thing in the team. Pritchett said it brings stability to the team, and gives players a chance to learn from the public figures.
Cedars has experience throughout its staff, which includes several former players and longtime coaches. Offensive coordinator Brett Sylve spent time playing in Germany before coaching in college.
Sylve joined Lebanon after meeting Pritchett in early 2024 and said the club’s growth since then has been clear.
The first few months in Lebanon with the new staff did not go well. The team has struggled between inconsistent attendance and developing the program, but Sylve says the goal is firm going into the year.
“They are responsible for everything, which is what we mean,” Sylve said. “Successful teams are not just coach-led, we want to make sure they are player-led.
“We all know the expectation, and we try to hold on to it.”
Pritchett said mentoring his younger brother led him to consider a career in coaching, and said how playing the offensive game prepared him for the role.
“It’s bigger than me, I have to understand that,” Pritchett said. “If you show me a guy who was an offensive player, those guys, usually, become good coaches and good leaders, not just in football, good leaders in life.”
Pritchett knew about losing the team when he took the job, but the Cedars are focused on week one.
“Every week, going 1-0 is a big thing for us,” Pritchett said. “We want to conquer every aspect of our lives, and I think that also has to do with football.”
There are certainly questions that remain unanswered along with the new staff, but the foundation of a productive team is in place.
“We’re both guys who love to play football, we’ve been doing it for a long time, and we love to compete,” Sylve said “Having someone here that matches that energy, I feel like we I succeeded.”
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