Carroll County Names Interim Head Football Coach

He replaces Brent Charles whom resigned after 1 year at the helm

                                                                                                (PHOTO PROVIDED)

When questions began swirling about the future of the Carroll County High School football program, David Weston made sure his players heard one clear message: he’s staying.

Weston, who served as defensive coordinator last season, has been named interim head coach and will lead the Panthers through the entire 2026 season. While the title is new, much of the program will remain the same, something Weston believes is critical after a year of progress in 2025.

“There’s no way I could look those kids in the eye and tell them I was also going to be gone. Whatever my role was going to be, I was going to be here for them,” Weston said. He noted several assistant coaches he hopes to hire have a long and quality history with the Panthers. 

That stability comes at the right time. Out of 22 starting spots on offense and defense, 19 starters are returning. The Panthers graduated just three seniors, which gives the team valuable experience heading into the new season.

“We are just reloading in a district that’s trying to rebuild and that’s exciting and the kids know that. I’m very excited about it,” Weston added.

Last year’s defense had a standout year under Weston’s leadership. In Class 3A they were ranked 14 in team defense, 17 in team rushing defense and 7 in team passing defense (putting them at 39th in the state).

Winter workouts are already underway, with players focusing on strength and conditioning as well as what Weston calls “cerebral football” -  film study, self-evaluation and classroom instruction. He wants his team to understand not just what to do, but why it's being done.

Much of last year’s defensive system will remain in place. Weston emphasized simplicity and discipline in 2025, and he plans to carry that approach forward on both sides of the ball.

“One of our things that will carry over is ‘start fast, finish faster and do your job,’” he said. “The best way for high school kids to do their job is for that job to be simpler.”

As a coach with a strong core in winning football programs and even a 2008 Class A Coach of the Year title, Weston has big dreams and plans for Panther football.

He hopes to strengthen connections between pee wee, middle school and high school programs so players arrive on the varsity level already familiar with the same systems and expectations. Plans are also in place for a signing-day style event to welcome incoming freshmen and help them feel part of the program from the start.

Football has always been about more than wins and losses for Weston. He began coaching in the early 1970s and has continued through careers in hospitality, law enforcement and education. He currently teaches business courses at CCHS and sees coaching as an extension of the classroom.

“To me, it’s teaching young boys how to become young men,” Weston said. “Not just football players, but good fathers, brothers, citizens and students.”

Married for 30 years to his wife, Deborah, who he calls “the best coach’s wife ever”,  Weston is the father of three sons and grandfather to 12 grandchildren, many of whom are active in sports themselves. Though he lives in Oldham County, he says he has found a home in Carroll County.

“I like it here,” Weston said. “I love kids and I love coaching.”