WS Chronicle

Quality Education Academy (QEA) has hired a new varsity football coach, along with a new middle school basketball coach. Herb Miller will take over the reins of the football team and Patrick McCandies will lead the middle school basketball team.

Miller will take over for Antonio Stevenson, who left the program to pursue other interests. Miller is focused on taking the team to the next level and building upon the solid base that Stevenson built. Miller was the offensive coordinator last season, so he is already familiar with the school and team.

“For the upcoming season, we are looking to further establish our program,” said Miller. “We want to make sure that we are not only winning on the field, but we are also winning in the classroom.”

QEA’s varsity football team finished last season winless, but they showed a lot of promise in the final weeks of the season. Miller’s objective is to continue to make strides in the right direction, he said.

“Going into the season we are going to focus on core strength, speed and a knowledge of the game,” he said. “Once we get these young players to understand the nuances of the game, I believe the wins will come.”

The Pharaohs were very young last season, having played several eighth graders on the varsity level. With a year under their belts, the staff is looking to integrate the veterans of the team with the new players coming in this summer. They also have several position battles to figure out, especially on the offensive line.

A successful season will not be measured by wins and losses, Miller said. For him, to have every senior attend college would constitute success. 

Based on the continued success of the varsity team, McCandies knows the high expectation level for all levels of basketball at QEA. He was coached by Issac Pitts, varsity basketball coach, his senior year at Parkland High School, so the pair have a great relationship on and off the court.

“It’s exciting and an honor to come and be able to help continue the legacy they have already built here,” said McCandies about his new position.  

McCandies said his goals for the season are simple: get better and win. “I want to win, but also to have the kids learn and grow,” he said. “My big thing as a coach is development, so I just want my guys to develop and continue to grow so we can be prepared for the next level, which is high school.”

The middle school team will play up-tempo and play “run-and-gun” basketball, McCandies said. “We are going to be all about pushing the tempo and defense, because defense wins games,” he continued.

Devane Woodruff, QEA athletic director, says he feels they made the right choices by placing Miller and McCandies in their new positions.  

“We strive for excellence, whether it’s on or off the field,” said Woodruff.  

Pitts said he is excited for the upcoming seasons for football and basketball. They have new equipment and facilities to harness the talent from all their players.

“We want to equip coach Miller and coach McCandies with a solid foundation,” said Pitts. “We are not putting a premium on wins and losses, because we are building a program based on character, academics, community involvement. and then athletics.

“We want good character kids to come here and be scholar-athletes. We want them to have community involvement. Of course we want to win, because we win at QEA and we are excited about the 2019-2020 season.”

QEA will also offer intramural sports for their kids on the elementary school level. The school also offers all sports that a traditional school offers. During the summer the school will open its doors to student-athletes for training. They wanted to emphasize that you do not have to be a student or perspective student to take advantage of their facilities.