A familiar face will be returning to the sidelines for Wright City this fall.Jeff Sargent has been hired as the Wildcats’ new varsity head football coach, replacing Matt Brooks, who resigned in the fall.“I’ve always wanted to be a head coach and implement the things I wanted to do,” said Sargent, who was previously an assistant at Wright City for one year before spending the 2014 season as offensive coordinator at Warrenton.“I finally have my opportunity to prove myself,” said Sargent, who was a top candidate for athletic director Doug Smith.“Coach Brooks had raved about his preparation and scouting for the games,” said Smith. “Those were big keys for me, but the biggest was how well received he has been by our kids.”With Sargent having been an assistant baseball coach for the Wildcats the past two years, Smith says that many of the athletes immediately rallied for his return to the football staff.“They were in his corner advocating for him long before he ever began the hiring process,” said Smith. “Our kids are really excited and are on board with what he does.”Sargent graduated from Francis Howell and played baseball and football while pursuing his degree at Missouri State University.Immediately out of college he became the defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator at Francis Howel North.Sargent then served as an assistant at Fort Osage in Kansas City but decided to return closer to home when the opportunity at Wright City became available.“Anyone that’s coached with me knows I have an unusual way of coaching and making sure kids will want to run through a brick wall for me,” said Sargent. “It’s about building relationships to make kids want to improve every day.”Sargent, who says he’s grown up in a winning culture, prefers to create a competitive environment in practice.“They’re going to understand that it’s not okay to quit, lose or fail,” said Sargent. “I’m going to judge success by showing, giving 100 percent and outperforming the competition.”The fact he’s taking over a program that hasn’t had a winning season since 2010 doesn’t concern Sargent.“The talent is there, so there’s no reason to struggle,” said Sargent. “The kids have to learn how to work hard and apply that talent.”Sargent has already begun meeting with the team and discussing offseason plans.“My hope is that we can keep kids out for football and that they’ll really buy into his plans and play hard for him,” said Smith. “I think those are big objectives for him right now.”SARGENT RETURNING TO WRIGHT CITYDerrick Forsythe photo.