Mountain Heritage did not look far – and did not take much time – to find its next head football coach.

Jered Pope, a longtime assistant, was promoted to the top position in the program. Pope has been with the program for 16 years.

He is taking over the reigns from Joey Robinson, who became a legend in Western North Carolina during his 23 seasons leading the program. Robinson led the program to a 166-115 overall record and multiple state championship appearances.

During Pope’s time on the staff, Mountain Heritage produced a 154-60 record, winning eight conference championships, two regional finals, and the regional runner-up trophy twice.

The Cougars are coming off of a 12-1 overall campaign in 2024. Mountain Heritage lost to Corvian Community in the 1A West regional final.

Mountain Heritage has an average daily membership of 628 students and will be a 3A program after the N.C. High School Athletic Association realigns into eight classifications later this year.

In the second draft of the proposed new conferences, Mountain Heritage was placed in a 2A/3A league with 2As Avery and Mitchll as well as 3As Hendersonville, Madison, Mountain Heritage, Owen, and Polk County. The conference plans are subject to change following the appeals period.