Warren Central (Indianapolis) may be the premier program in Indiana high school football with nine state championships and at least 10 former players who have gone on to the NFL.
Currently at the helm of the program is Jayson West, who guided the Warriors to a season to remember in 2018. Warren Central ran the table (14-0) en route to Indiana's Class 6A state title, averaging over 48 points per game and winning all but two contests by double digits.
The program's history didn't mean there weren't challenges for West when he took over in 2013. He talks with MaxPreps' Steve Montoya about some of the things he first did after taking the helm of the Warriors.
"You have to establish your culture without erasing the previous culture and that is a delicate, high-wire act," West said, adding that it doesn't matter how many wins or losses the program had in the past, that you should be complimentary about what's happened, but come in ready to work with the students, teachers and coaches on building your program.
Hear more in the video below.
Incredibly, the Warren Central offense produced a 3,000-yard passer (
Jayden George), a 3,000-yard rusher (
Romeir Elliott) and 1,500-yard receiver (future Purdue Boilermaker
David Bell) in 2018
In addition to 2018, Warren Central has captured state titles in 1984, 1985, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2013. Jeff George, the No. 1 pick in the 1990 NFL Draft, is among the program's NFL alums.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL COACHES PODCAST: Subscribe on iTunesEntering his 12th season next fall, West owns a career record of 111-29 at Warren Central and previously Lawrence Central. He's guided both schools to a pair of state championship games, winning in 2012 and 2013 to go along with 2018.
