Ernest Edward West (July 7, 1867 – July 16, 1914) was the organizer, head coach, and player of Georgia Tech's first football team. West was born in Rome, Georgia in 1867 and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1888. After graduation, he resigned his commission and practiced law in Georgia before becoming a professor at the Georgia school of Technology. In 1892, he organized Georgia Tech's first football team, acted as coach and captain, and played halfback. It was only season he would coach or play for the school. During the Spanish–American War, West served as a captain of marines.