Pocahontas promotes Casey Chester to head football coach

By Kyle Sutherland  

Casey Chester is a familiar face in the Pocahontas community and received rave reviews when he was announced as the Redskins’ third head football coach since 1981 on Sunday night. 

“It is a dream come true to have this opportunity for me and my family,” Chester said. “Both of my grandpas played at Pocahontas and my dad played here. It just means this world to me; this is such a great football town.”

Chester, a 1994 Pocahontas graduate, joined the Pocahontas staff in 2002 and has served as defensive coordinator since 2004. He began his tenure under his former coach, the late legendary Dave Williams, and then Charles Baty from 2014 through last fall. Baty resigned in December after nine seasons to return to Fort Smith Northside as an assistant.

Being a defensive-minded guy, Chester praised Baty for not only the leadership, but the offensive philosophies he brought during his time with the Redskins. Under Baty’s direction, Pocahontas went 74-31 and won four conference titles.

“Coach Baty taught me a ton that we will carry on,” Chester said. “He added a lot of stuff to my knowledge, thank goodness.”

While Chester is in the position he has always dreamed of, it is in a way a double-edged sword considering he goes way back with relatives of his current team.

“It is good and bad for me because these are some of my former teammates’ kids and also former players’ kids,” Chester said.

Dave Williams took over the Pocahontas football program in 1981 where he remained until his passing toward the end of the 2013 season at the age of 70. His legendary career included a career record of 206-143-3, nine conference titles, and 16 trips in the playoffs. Williams was also named conference coach of the year 10 times.

Like he was for so many, Williams was a key mentor for Chester both on and off the field while growing up, playing as a Redskin from 1991-93, and then working under Williams for 12 seasons.

“He shaped three generations of men in Pocahontas,” Chester said. “Not many schools have a statue of their head coach outside their fieldhouse. Just a great man who taught many lessons of life, much more than football.”