Wes Blankenship, a seasoned sports anchor and multimedia journalist, has left an indelible mark on the world of sports reporting, earning recognition for his inventive and entertaining approach. With a career spanning over a decade, Blankenship’s journey began at 13WMAZ in 2013, where he initially served as a Videojournalist before ascending to the roles of Sports Anchor and Sports Multimedia Journalist.
His extensive coverage of high-school football across Georgia, with a remarkable stint at WXIA in Atlanta and WMAZ in Macon, exposed him to the intricacies of the sport and its passionate fan base. However, it was in the wake of a professional crossroads in 2019 that Blankenship’s ingenuity truly shone through. Faced with the end of his TV contract, he sought a creative outlet and found it in the burgeoning realm of TikTok.
Enter Coffeetown – the fictional high-school football team that became an internet sensation. Blankenship, inspired by the announcers he admired from his youth, brought Coffeetown to life through witty and engaging TikTok videos. These comedic vignettes captured the hearts of sports fans, amassing a dedicated following of over half a million viewers on social media.
The viral success of Coffeetown did not go unnoticed, as prominent figures in the sports media landscape, including Marty Smith and Ryan McGee, became avid fans. This recognition led to Blankenship making live appearances on their SEC Network show, Marty and McGee. Beyond his on-screen charisma and sports expertise, Wes Blankenship’s journey exemplifies the power of innovation and resilience in the ever-evolving landscape of sports journalism.