Making history: Baxter is SWR’s winningest coach

ASHEBORO — Seth Baxter has balanced successful athletic programs while building the character of his student-athletes throughout his coaching career.

Whether it was in middle school, at Eastern Randolph High School or Southwestern Randolph High School, where he currently leads the football and girls basketball programs, Baxter’s teams have always been hard workers, had high expectations and represented their families and their schools the right way.

Baxter earned an incredible honor as he earned his 52nd career varsity football victory at SWR with a 35-7 win over North Moore to close the regular season to set the all-time number of wins by a head football coach at the school. Baxter will look for No. 53 this Friday night as the Cougars host Fairmont in the second round of the state 4-A playoffs.

Baxter, a 1997 graduate of SWR, is in his 10th season at the Cougars’ helm.

“Being able to come full circle and accomplish this at a school where I once wore the uniform as a player is something I will never take for granted,” Baxter said of breaking the number of career wins previously held by SWR Hall of Famer Charlie Chapman, who is an assistant in the program.

“This accomplishment represents so many players, coaches, families, mentors, and people who have poured into this program and into me throughout my journey. I am proud of the record, but even prouder of the people, relationships and program we are building.”

The Cougars had some lean years prior to Baxter taking over 10 years ago. There were numerous head coaches from the early 2000s until Baxter took the reins in 2017.

Prior, he spent time at Southwestern Randolph Middle School, Uwharrie Middle School, six years at SW Randolph High School before taking over the football program at Eastern Randolph High School, where his father led the Wildcats to a state championship in 1981.

He returned to SWR in 2017.

“When we first arrived at Southwestern Randolph, the program was in disarray, to say the least,” Baxter said of the 1-10 record the previous year, as part of a 12-year span without a winning season. “We knew we had a lot of work ahead of us, and one of our biggest challenges was recruiting our own hallways and selling our program to our students.

“SWR has always had great kids, families and a community that supports its athletic programs. I have been blessed in my career to work with great administrations as well as athletic directors who have joined our vision. I am sure the success we experienced at Eastern Randolph helped build some credibility, but getting kids involved, especially those coming from other sports, was critical to our growth.”

Baxter helped build a program that has seen six winning seasons in a row for the Cougars and seven non-losing seasons. Since 2020, the COVID shortened season, SWR has finished 3-3, 8-3, 6-4, 6-5, 6-5, 7-4 anbd 7-3 heading into action Friday.

He didn’t have to look very far.

“I wanted not only good football coaches, but better men who understood that our responsibility extended far beyond the field,” Baxter said. “My mentors, including my dad (Donnie Baxter) and Coach (Charlie) Chapman, along with Chris Chapman, who I grew up with, were instrumental in helping lay the foundation.

“Having former players like James Needham, who has been with me throughout this entire journey, along with Mason Clark and now Nate Cockman, has been incredibly meaningful. Their experiences and understanding of our program have helped demonstrate what we can accomplish together. Building relationships, establishing trust, and creating a family atmosphere became the foundation of our program.

Baxter said one of the most important areas he faced was building a coaching staff who had the same beliefs as he did.

“Looking back, the success we have experienced is a reflection of the players, coaches, families and community who have invested in this journey together.”

It’s been quite a journey. A journey that should last for many years to come.

“This profession will challenge you, but if you remain passionate, humble, and committed to developing young people, you can make a difference that lasts long after the final whistle,” Baxter said. “At the end of the day, the greatest accomplishment a coach can have is knowing they helped shape the lives of the young people they were entrusted to lead. It is truly a blessing and a privilege to be a coach.”

And each of the schools Baxter has been at has been blessed as well.