Attending Westminster instills values such as faith, school spirit, and academic excellence. However, the school also places a significant value on competitive sports programs which leads to any decision being analyzed under a microscope. Trying to rebuild our football program, athletic director Cory Snyder is picking up the head football coach role again. 

Coach Snyder is not the only returning coach. He brings with him some of his former coaching staff in Chris Pederson, Jeff Ehrhardt, and Mike Decker. These four coached together from 2014-2016 achieving a 24-3 record during the two seasons, the program was ranked top 25 in the state for the 2015 campaign. Now that the long awaited return of these four is finally here let’s dive into what they’re doing.

To begin, coach Pederson is picking up the offensive line duties and has been improving the line. 

“Pederson is very organized and concise about his teachings, we love having him as a coach,” said Maddox Rosenburg, senior lineman. 

Coach Snyder further emphasized how Pederson works with the offensive line: “excellent offensive line coach that breaks down the teaching of the position really well,” said Snyder. The team is also focusing on building a strong culture for the current players and future of Westminster football. Pederson has clearly put in tons of work into continuing that vision according to his athletes and coach Snyder. 

Westminster alumnus and former Murray State quarterback Jeff Ehrhardt is also sharing his knowledge to build our field generals. Coach Ehrhardt is returning to assist Snyder with the coaching duties but will also be alongside his former coach. Snyder and Pederson both helped coach Ehrhardt during his time at Westminster developing him into one of the best quarterbacks in the state. 

After his highschool days Ehrardt went onto Murray State and quickly won the Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year award in 2007. His experience is next to none as he brings with him awards in droves to train our current quarterbacks and prepare our future ones. 

Finally, Coach Decker returns from a brief hiatus to coach the defensive line and is showing his ability to adapt to a new defensive system. Snyder is impressed with Decker’s adaptability: “ [it] allowed me to focus on teaching and helping the coaches at the other positions,” said Coach Snyder, head football coach. Decker brings nine years of experience as a defensive coach and is picking up right where he left off to aid the rest of the staff.

The athletes are prepared for the season thanks to all the coaches, and Coach Snyder has enjoyed his return to the sideline. 

“[It’s] a lot less about me and a lot more about the experience that we can create for the athletes in the football program,” said Snyder. 

He has built an incredible resume as a football coach and an athletic director, we look forward to seeing the team in action. Tune into the Westminster Ties podcast for a more in depth interview with coach Snyder, Pederson, and Ehrhardt.