From UVA Wise to the Finals: A Coach and His Calling

For Wes Slagle, a University of Virginia’s College at Wise (UVA Wise) alum, his coaching success didn’t only start on the sidelines at Union High School, it started a few miles away, in the classrooms, gyms and relationships he built at UVA Wise.

Not long after graduating in 2023, Slagle is already making a name for himself as one of the region’s rising coaches, leading Union’s girls basketball team to a Region 2D championship and a state runner-up finish. Ask him where the foundation for that success was built, and his answer is immediate and includes UVA Wise.

“The College gave me some of the most meaningful times of my life,” Slagle said. “I’m deeply grateful for my time there.”

At UVA Wise, Slagle didn’t just earn a degree. He developed a philosophy.

He graduated with a degree in health and physical education, along with certifications in middle school math and driver’s education, credentials that now serve him in the classroom. However, it was mentorship that left the deepest impact.

Slagle credits professors Ray Schweighardt and Cody Sanders as transformational figures in his journey.

“I learned a tremendous amount from them regarding coaching and teaching that I still use today,” he adds.

Those lessons are evident in the culture he has built at Union, a program centered on toughness, effort and accountability. In just three seasons as head coach, Slagle has turned the team into one of the most respected in Class 2, not by chasing talent alone, but by demanding consistency and heart.

“We want to be the hardest playing team around,” he said. “That’s something I believe in deeply.”

That belief and the discipline behind it echoes the approach he gained at UVA Wise, where preparation, humility and growth were emphasized daily.

His journey at the college also shaped his life far beyond basketball. 

It was at UVA Wise that Slagle met his wife, Kaylee Jones Slagle ‘22, a standout softball player for the Cavaliers. Today, the couple shares a one-year-old daughter and remains closely tied to the College community.

In fact, UVA Wise continues to be a central thread running through Slagle’s family. His siblings, Luke Slagle and Abby Slagle, are currently enrolled, while his extended family is actively involved in Cavalier athletics. His sister-in-law’s, Bayleigh Allison and Kacie Smith also attend UVA Wise, competing on the softball team and pursuing their education on campus. Kacie’s husband, Christian Smith, also serves on the baseball coaching staff, further strengthening the family’s connection to the College.

Those ties aren’t just personal; they’re a reflection of the lasting community UVA Wise fosters.

“It’s a special place,” Slagle said. “The relationships you build here stay with you.”

That sense of connection has carried into his coaching. Slagle’s Union team has become a reflection of togetherness, representing both Big Stone Gap and Appalachia with pride. This past season, that unity translated into historic success with the program’s best regular-season district finish, a Region 2D title and a trip to the state championship game.

For his efforts, Slagle was named Region 2D Coach of the Year, an honor he views as a testament to the people who helped shape him.

He’s quick to point back to UVA Wise, where he learned one of his most important lessons, the value of listening.

“I would encourage young coaches to be great listeners,” he said. “You have to be willing to learn from the right people.”

It’s a mindset that continues to guide him, even as his own success grows.

From student to teacher, from mentee to mentor, Slagle’s journey is a clear example of what UVA Wise strives to produce; leaders who carry their education into their communities and make a lasting impact.

And as his coaching career continues to rise, one thing remains certain, his roots will always be at the heart of it.