Cullowhee, N.C. – CatamountSports.com continues its question and answer personality profiles today by getting to know second-year assistant coach Keith Henry as the countdown to the 2020 season ramps up ahead of Western Carolina's Sept. 3, Thursday night opening road date at OVC-member, Eastern Kentucky.
 
Western Carolina football is still slated to open its preseason fall camp on Wednesday, Aug. 5 with its first practice session on the new turf at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field.
 
Season tickets for all five home dates in 2020 remain on sale now through the WCU Athletics Ticket office. Though the in-person office in the Ramsey Center remains closed to the public, purchases are available online at CatamountSports.com or by phone at (800) 34-GOWCU or (828) 227-2401. WCU Athletics has moved into its Priority III phase for season ticket purchases as a part of its three-phased planned for opening at Whitmire Stadium with anticipated physical distancing measures originally outlined in a letter from first-year Director of Athletics Alex Gary back on June 9.
 
Again, up next in our "Get to Know" features is defensive assistant coach and special teams coordinator, Keith Henry, who is in his second season at WCU. Henry came to Cullowhee in mid-March of 2019 after most recently working at Charlotte with coaching stints at his alma mater, Catawba College, and FBS-member, Wake Forest.
 
Name: Keith Henry
Position: Defensive Assistant Coach
 
What is your nickname? Henry
What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Butter Pecan
What is your spirit animal?  Jaguar
Who is your all-time favorite football player? Ronnie Lott
What's your favorite off-season activity? Fishing or Cycling
What would you like to be known for? Helping Others
What celebrity – past or present – would you most like to meet? Michael Jackson
 
Personality Questions:
What three words/phrases would your student-athletes use to describe you? 
Henry: "Coach is cool."
 
What three words/phrases would your coaching peers use to describe you?
Henry: "Coach is simple."
 
What motivates you to work hard?
Henry: "Winning."
 
What's your greatest accomplishment in sports?
Henry: "Being inducted into several Halls of Fame: Catawba College HOF, SAC 8 Conference HOF, Catawba County HOF and Black Catawba County HOF."
 
What was the best advice you were ever given – and who gave it to you?
Henry: "If your fist is always closed you can't give or receive your blessing."- My Father-In-Law, Claude Trotter
 
Who is your role model?
Henry: "My dad, Charles Henry; hard-working man."
 
Coaching Questions:
How'd you get your start in coaching / first coaching position? 
Henry: "My high School coach, Bandy's High School – Fall 1989"
 
How would you describe your coaching philosophy/style?
Henry: "Attention to detail, polished and firm."
 
What position do you coach – and what is one key thing to know about playing that position?
Henry: "Cornerback coach and Special Team Coordinator. I love coaching – your day is never the same.
 
If you weren't coaching football, what sport would you coach OR what profession would you have pursued?
Henry: "Owned a sport complex for AAU Basketball."
 
About Western Carolina:
What stood out to you about Western Carolina University?
Henry: "Coach Mark Speir – he is a family guy, honest and sincere."
 
What's the top thing you point out to recruits about Western Carolina?
Henry: "The mountains, fishing and very friendly city. Everyone is very relaxed. This place grows on you."
 
What is your favorite quote or saying from head coach Mark Speir? 
Henry: "365 Tough, No Days Off."
 
How important is the support of the Catamount Club to our efforts in WCU Football?
Henry: "Very important. It keeps athletics competing at the highest level."
 
What message would you like to send to the Catamount Nation fan base?
Henry: "Come out and see the Cats 2020 football team; we will electrify the fans with excitement. Go Cats!"
 
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