Ronald Pou stood across the field from some of his own students a season ago.
While teaching English at Bertie High School, Pou was still an assistant coach – leading the defense – for the combined Martin County football team.
This year there will be no such split as Pou has been tabbed to lead the Falcon football fortunes after seven years in coaching, including stops in Martin and Pitt counties.
And Pou is pleased to be leading the Falcons onto the redesigned field at Roy L. Bond Jr. Stadium.
“I think we have a lot of hidden gems at Bertie,” Pou said. “I love the atmosphere – the support of the students by their parents and the community – and I love the family atmosphere.”
Pou said he has felt that environment since he walked in the door as a teacher at BHS.
“From the time I got here, I have felt at home and felt the family environment,” the coach said.
While still making his way to meeting with the entire team since his appointment by BHS Principal Trey Peele, Pou said he is fortunate enough to have taught many of his soon-to-be players.
“Obviously, having taught here this year I already know a lot of the players and have relationships with many of them,” he said. “Now, we will build on that.”
As he looks to improve Bertie’s success on the football field – the Falcons made the playoffs last year, but haven’t had a winning record in the regular season since the days of Greg Watford in 2012 – he says the beginning point is obvious.
“I think what is most exciting is the opportunity to coach the offensive and defensive line,” Pou said. “We actually have linemen and that’s hard to find.”
Overall, Pou said he is pleased with the level of natural talent available at Bertie and the opportunity to develop them.
Offensively, Pou said he is still deciding what the Falcons will look like, but it will likely begin with some version of the Wing-T.
“I prefer to start with the Wing-T or Power-T and be able to shift into a lot of other formations from those,” he said. “We will be able to go spread or heavy, but it will likely begin with the Wing-T formation.”
A defensive specialist over the course of his career, Pou said he will continue to use the same basic defense he used across the Roanoke River at Riverside.
“We will likely start with a 3-4 look, but we will be able to morph into something else,” Pou said. “I want to showcase our versatility.”
Pou said he is still working on the formation of a staff, but it will likely include longtime BHS coach Calvin Moore.
“I’ve spoken to Coach Moore and he indicated he would be open to helping us this fall,” Pou said. “I look forward to having someone with that kind of experience at Bertie to draw from.”
Pou said he will also work with his coaching colleagues Brian Paschal and Jim Bob Bryant, who will be his sounding boards.
As with any coaching coming into Bertie, Pou has already heard quite a bit about the school’s most successful coach and the man after whom the stadium is named in Roy Bond.
“I think the thing I’ve heard the most isn’t just about his ability as a coach, but the fact he was a good person,” Pou said. “We want to instill that same family atmosphere Coach Bond had. If we are on the right track, then we will be successful.”
Pou is a graduate of Williamston High School and was part of the 1995 state championship team at the school, coincidentally the same year Bond won his first state title at Bertie.
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