Pigskin Preview: New coach brings new mindset to Topsail football

HAMSTEAD, NC (WWAY) –Topsail football is entering the 2026 season with a new head coach, a new system and a new mindset after a winless campaign last fall. Terry “T.J.” Albert took over the Pirates program in January after Topsail finished 0-10 in 2025.

Albert brings more than two decades of high school coaching experience to Hampstead. Before joining Topsail, he spent more than a decade at the Community School of Davidson, where he helped build a successful program and made multiple playoff appearances.

For Albert, the first priority at Topsail was changing how the players viewed themselves and the program.

“The last three seasons are 8-22. Coming off of an 0 and 10 team last year, I think the first thing was to change the mindset and get the immediate buy-in that, hey, we can turn this around,” Albert said.

Albert said he wants the Pirates to move away from simply hoping to win and instead expect to compete every Friday night.

“The expectations of not hoping we win or wanting to win, but expecting to win,” Albert said.

That message has been backed by strong participation throughout the offseason.

Albert said attendance was consistently high during summer workouts, allowing the team to make significant progress installing both its offense and defense.

“Their drive and their work ethic and their willingness to come together and do whatever it’s gonna take to try to turn this around has been quite impressive,” Albert explained.

Quarterback Tyler Vickers is among the players adjusting to Albert’s new system. Vickers said he is excited about an offense that could feature more opportunities through the air.

“Really looking forward to Coach Albert’s scheme, and really passing the ball a lot more than we did last year,” Vickers said. “Definitely a lot more deep ball attack.”

But the Pirates believe the biggest change this season may go beyond the playbook. After several difficult seasons, Vickers said turning the program around would give the team a chance to prove people wrong.

“It means the world to me and, I think, my team in general, because we haven’t had the best record the past couple of years,” Vickers said. “I just really think we can prove a lot of people wrong.”

Albert is not shying away from expectations in his first season.

“I didn’t come here to lose football games,” Albert said. “I’m gonna be unapologetic about saying we’re gonna try to win the conference.”

Albert said success in his first season would mean having Topsail in the conference race later in the year. The Pirates open the season Aug. 21 at home against Dixon.