Bladensburg has hired former Washington Redskins cornerback Byron Westbrook as its football coach, moving on from Lester Overton after a three-year stint, the school announced Friday.
Westbrook, a 32-year-old Fort Washington native, played football at DeMatha and Salisbury University before signing with Washington as an undrafted free agent. He played three seasons for the Redskins, from 2009 to 2011.
Westbrook has worked with athletes in the D.C. area since retiring from the NFL but this will be his first high school coaching job.
“I know everyone’s worrying about the record, and winning games. [I’m focused on] just impacting these kids. Helping these guys become great men,” Westbrook said. “Success is creating a winning culture both on and off the field . . . that will breed wins.”
Overton, an Oxon Hill graduate and longtime Prince George’s assistant, took over the Mustangs in 2014 and compiled a 9-21 record. Bladensburg finished 3-7 in 2016 and had about 81 athletes participating in its varsity and junior varsity program, increasing from 54 total participants in 2014, according to Overton.
The school’s athletic department experienced significant turnover with three athletic directors during Overton’s coaching stint. Mike Silverman, hired this school year as Bladensburg’s athletic director, was teammates with Westbrook at Salisbury.
Overton, who works outside the school, was considered an “emergency coach” upon his hiring. In November, following the 2016 season, Overton learned the school was opening the position and was interviewed for it in mid-December.
“They gave me the runaround,” Overton said.