Westminster (Ga.) hires Arch Manning's former high school head coach

After spending 19 seasons as the head coach at New Orleans Isidore Newman, Nelson Stewart has left his alma mater to be the head coach at Atlanta Westminster School, according to The Atlanta-Journal Constitution.

Stewart coached the Greenies to playoff appearances in all 19 seasons with a 162-54 record.

He replaces Gerry Romberg, who retired after 33 seasons as Westminster’s head coach. This past season, the Wildcats finished with a 5-6 record and an opening-round loss in the Georgia 4A playoffs.

During his time at Isidore Newman, Stewart coached several notable players during his tenure — including Texas quarterback Arch Manning and Super Bowl champion wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. While still a player at Newman, Stewart was teammates with NFL Hall of Fame QB Peyton Manning.

Stewart spoke with On3 in 2022 about Arch Manning after the former Newman starting quarterback announced his commitment to Texas.

“He’s a great athlete and then you add the little nuances of the work ethic, the things you hear about,” Stewart told On3 about Manning. “Whether it’s a zoom with a college coach, or how we collaborate on game planning how much he likes film and work, he has that it factor of loving the game of football.”

He added:

“He just wants to do things the right way,” Stewart told On3 about Manning. “When you have a kid with that level of humility and talent and then work ethic, it’s pretty special. Obviously, he has a wonderful family. But I’ve certainly have never had a kid in that light that’s been able to exist the way he has without getting caught up in it or embracing it. He’s just been able to live his existence as a teenager.”

With Quinn Ewers heading to the NFL Draft, Manning is expected to take over as the Longhorns’ new start quarterback in 2025. Texas finished this season with a Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal appearance.