Across the football fields of the Midwest, past the towering quarterbacks and sport-centered University of Minnesota at Duluth, Coach Alec Ramirez saw himself ready to enter a new stage of his life, one a little bit more south, more west and more woody. Entering as a jack of all trades, Coach Ramirez is excited to enter the athletics community at Westwood and help the school progress in the world of sports and academics. 

“I’m excited to be able to be involved in so many different sports this year,” Coach Ramirez said. “I’m a football coach, special team coordinator, track and field coach, while also being a PE teacher.”

Despite the diverse range of sports he has to lead, Coach Ramirez feels confident in his ability to do each of them justice due to his extensive experience in the realm of athletics up north.

“[Before I came to Westwood], I was in Minnesota coaching Division II football at Minnesota Duluth. I enjoyed all of the two years I spent there,” Coach Ramirez said. “I got to be a football coach, coaching everyday from morning to night at divisions one, two, and three, and loved every second of it. But I grew up one hour from Austin and I wanted to be closer to home and have more impact on today’s youth.”

Despite there being a variety of high schools across the country to choose from, Coach Ramirez was able to pinpoint Westwood as his top choice due to his personal connections. 

“A fun fact is that my brother and sister-in-law used to work here. My brother was Assistant Principal Mr. Ramirez, and my sister-in-law was Cheer Coach Ms. Ramirez,” Coach Ramirez said. “Sadly they left right as I arrived, but the great things I heard from them about the school was why Westwood was at the top of my list.”

Westwood’s athletic excellence wasn’t all Coach Ramirez heard about the school. Westwood’s academically rigorous nature also proved to be a big incentive for Coach Ramirez to be part of the Warrior community. 

“One of the main things that stood out to me about Westwood was that it is a high academic school,” Coach Ramirez said. “Knowing that you’re going to have really smart athletes, which is a great thing to have especially on the defensive side of the ball and make more complicated plays, got me really excited. I knew that I could bring in high expectations and the guys could still blow them out of the water.” 

Coach Ramirez’s excitement doesn’t encompass only student athletes, but he is also eager to learn more about everyone at the school. 

“My favorite experience so far is the camaraderie of the staff. One thing I’m super excited for is getting to be around more people than just football coaches,” Coach Ramirez said. “Getting the chance to be closer to soccer coaches, [assistant principals], other teachers, [and just] being part of a community bigger than just football is what makes being part of Westwood so fun.