Eastern NC Native Returns to Lead Martin County High School Football
John Wheeler returns to Eastern North Carolina as the new head coach of Martin County High School Football.
The announcement came Monday evening (February 3) following the vote of approval by the Martin County Board of Education.
With nearly twenty years of coaching and teaching experience, Wheeler comes to the Gator Nation from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where he has served as an Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator.
While on the field at UNC Pembroke, Wheeler coached Linebackers, Tight Ends, and Specialists. In the classroom, he taught courses, including Adaptive Physical Education and Personal Fitness.
In two years at UNC Pembroke, Wheeler organized the two largest recruiting classes in program history.
“Coach Wheeler's experience at the high school and college level should be beneficial to our football program and our young men hoping to continue their playing career,” explained Wes Hughes, Martin County High School Athletic Director. “We are lucky to have gained an experienced coach who wants to lead our football program and call Martin County home.”
Before joining UNC Pembroke, Wheeler served Princeton High School (Johnston County) as a defensive coordinator and safety coach.
The Bulldogs were three-time conference champs (1 Carolina 1A, 2 Neuse 6 2A). Along with his role as an assistant coach (2020-2022), Wheeler taught Social Studies at Princeton High School. While there, he received his Personal Finance Certification through the North Carolina Council of Economic Education.
Wheeler taught at the Ridgecroft School in Ahoskie while serving as an assistant football coach at Chowan University before going full-time at the university level.
A 2001 Currituck High School graduate began teaching and coaching there in 2005. In this first stint with his alma mater, Wheeler served as an assistant football coach, seeing the school qualify for the 3A playoffs for the first time.
After a brief break, Wheeler returned to Currituck High School as head football coach for nine years, tallying 40 victories.
His record at Currituck included being named Northeast Coastal Conference Coach of the Year, 2011 and 2013 East District Champions.
He coached 25 All-Northeastern NC Area Players, 28 All-NCC Conference Selections, and two NCCA East/West All-Stars.
Wheeler holds a Master of Science in Sports Management (Magna Cum Laude) from Western Carolina University. He also received a graduate certificate in project management from there.
He received his Bachelor’s Degree in History Education (Cum Laude) from Chowan College where he played four seasons as a defensive end and an outside linebacker.
Wheeler begins his new post at Martin County High School on February 24.