Former Escambia County High School assistant football coach and teacher Robert Wilkerson is the newest coach and educator at Northview High School in Dothan.

Wilkerson is the new defensive line coach for the Cougars and will also be an assistant track coach.

He said he is ready to take on the opportunity that he has been given with his new school.

“I’m excited about getting started,” Wilkerson said. “I’ve already started coaching and will begin teaching in August. I think working at Northview in a larger school system will give me great opportunities because they are offering more and putting more in the classroom.”

Since beginning his time as a coach, Wilkerson has liked what he has seen from players and coaches.

Wilkerson said he is looking forward to getting to know everyone around him more.

“My first impression has been that it is a good change,” Wilkerson said. “I like the coaches and I’m still getting to know the players, but they seem like good kids.”

In the classroom, Wilkerson is excited about the equipment he will have at to use.

“There is a lot more money that has been put into the classrooms as far as technology goes,” Wilkerson said. “I have a lot more equipment that I will be able to use such as smart boards.”

He said it is one of the best things about the change he has made.

On the athletic side of his job, Wilkerson is hoping to help rebuild a program that is coming off of some down years.

Wilkerson said his goal is to give his players on the defensive line more knowledge of their position from his experience.

“Football is in a rebuilding stage right now, and they haven’t been to the playoffs in a couple of years,” Wilkerson said. “I hope that I can bring my experience as a player on the defensive line and as a coach to teach my players how to be intense.”

Aside from coaching football, Wilkerson will also be an assistant coach for Northview’s track team.

Wilkerson said he wants to help integrate the track team with football players to use it as a tool for improving speed and conditioning.

“Track was another sport that I have just been wanting to get into,” Wilkerson said. “I hope to get the football players interested in participating in it and use it to help them get into better shape and make them faster.”