Timber Creek football coach Brian Wright has had quite the journey throughout his career.

After his teammate from Rowan College told him about a freshman team coaching job at their alma mater, Gloucester Catholic, Wright began his career not knowing what to expect.

Staying close with his coaches from Rowan and wanting to continue learning about coaching, Wright was offered the offensive line coach at his former college and worked there for 12 years. Once he decided to part ways and move on, he was offered the head coaching job at Cherry Hill West High School, where he was able to build the program up to a top-10 team in South Jersey.

When COVID-19 came, Wright wanted a change.

He ended up taking the job at Timber Creek, where he has led the Chargers to back-to-back winning seasons, including going 9-1 and reaching the semifinals of the NJSIAA Tournament.

"We're kind of lucky where we're at. We have some really good football players. We are supported within our building by everyone from our athletic director down to our principal. It makes it a little bit easier in doing what we're trying to do," Wright said.

Wright was named the West Jersey Football League's Coach of the Year in 2023 and despite his success, his goal is to prepare players for more than just football.

"We try to prepare our kids for the game of life, using football as that vehicle," Wright said. "We try to put them on the football field in some difficult situations and let them kind of figure out a way to respond to those situations, giving them kind of a game plan and letting them know there is carryover from the football field to real life."

Coach Wright has shown he will do anything for his players, on the field or off.

When a player of his who was in a difficult situation outside of school came to him for help, Wright knew he wanted to give back in any way he could and help the player. He would provide meals and groceries, give rides, and is willing to always go the extra mile to help his kids out.

"The game of football has brought me into so many situations where I've had the ability to try to help people out, where I normally wouldn't have that experience," Wright said. "We try to make sure that all of our kids have had the experience in which they deserve and I'm a firm believer in that it takes a village. Me and my staff, when there's a kid in need, we don't bat an eye you know, we go and try to help them and their family."

While Coach Wright hasn't had the chance the reflect on his accomplishments and awards in the midst of the ongoing season, he is grateful for the recognition he's received during his time.

"To continue to shine a positive light on Timber Creek means the world to me. I love this school, I love this program, I love my principal, I love my athletic director. We're all kind of in this together," Wright said. "The football part is just a vehicle to teach these guys. But, positive recognition is always a good thing, and it makes me feel good just because I know there's been a lot of people that helped me and my mentors in life, and this is for them as well. Without those people that have kind of helped me get to this point, we wouldn't be having this conversation, but it's exciting. I'm sure, after the season, I'll sit back and look at it and enjoy the moment."

As the 3-2 Timber Creek Chargers get ready to take on Willingboro on Friday, Wright had the chance to reflect on what this team means to him and what those who are unfamiliar with the school should know about them.

"I would like to think that as good as this program has been over the course of the last probably 20 years or so, football does not really define these kids or the coaches that have come through here," Wright said. "It's the people that that we generate as a result of being a part of this football program is what truly defines us. And I think that's one thing, if you come across any Timber Creek football player, whether they played this year or 20 years ago, you'll be left walking away like, 'Man, that's a solid person right there.' As successful as we've been on the football field, I think we've been successful in producing really good fathers, businessmen, people of the community. Those are the things that will continue to stand the test of time." – Written by Liam Wichser