Mike Privott has been named the new head football coach at Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, effective immediately. This comes after an impressive tenure as the defensive coordinator for the Maury Commodores, where he helped lead the team to its third consecutive Class 5 state football title.
Privott, who has dedicated the past eight years to the Maury program, expressed a mix of pride and emotion during the championship celebration. As he watched the Commodores claim victory, he realized the significance of this moment. “I was fine until the last 20 seconds of the game. I realized then that this ride was coming to an end,” Privott reflected. His departure marks the end of a chapter where he played a vital role in building Maury into a powerhouse.
Taking the reins at Booker T. Washington presents a considerable challenge. The program recently finished the season with a record of 0-10 and has lost 12 consecutive games. Since 2011, the Bookers have managed only two winning seasons, the last occurring in 2021. Despite these struggles, Privott is eager to transform the team’s fortunes. “I’m excited for the challenge,” he stated. “I know it’s going to take a little while to get it going, but it can be done. I can’t wait to get started.”
Privott’s journey to this point began at Lake Taylor High, where he was a two-time All-Tidewater linebacker. He later played collegiate football at Louisville before finishing his career at Norfolk State. He began coaching in 2014 at Booker T. Washington before moving on to stints at Oscar Smith and Salem, ultimately returning to Maury.
Throughout his coaching career, he has drawn inspiration from notable figures such as Hank Sawyer, head coach at Lake Taylor, and Dyrri McCain, head coach at Maury. Privott described Sawyer as a “father figure” during his formative years, emphasizing the profound impact he had on his life. “He took care of us, down to lunchtime when he would give me a dollar,” Privott recalled, highlighting the importance of mentorship in coaching.
Privott also learned valuable lessons from McCain, particularly in organization and program development. “I learned so much from him on how to carry yourself and how to be organized,” he noted. “I’m going to do the same thing here. Why wouldn’t I? I’d be a fool not to.”
While he acknowledges that success will not come overnight, Privott believes in the potential of the Booker T. Washington program. “Don’t be surprised that in two or three years, Booker T. will be in the mix to compete for a 3A state championship,” he asserted. His confidence and enthusiasm for this new opportunity signal a commitment to building a winning culture at the school.
As Mike Privott embarks on this new chapter, both the community and the players at Booker T. Washington will be looking to him to breathe new life into the program and turn around its fortunes. With a clear vision and a deep understanding of the game, Privott is poised to make a significant impact in the coming years.
