Verbanic Snags Coach of Year Honor Saturday....
There is perhaps no tougher obstacle for a coach to deal with than to have every local media outlet telling his team that they're the greatest thing since sliced bread. Most coaches would agree that it is harder to run out front than it is to chase someone for the top spot. That is what makes Westfield's magical season even that much more impressive. The Bulldogs entered 2007 as the top ranked team, and they finished the season the same way.
Along the way, head coach Tom Verbanic found a way to manage the potential ego inflation of his Westfield squad week in and week out, as evidenced by the Bulldogs' VHSL record 15-0 finish. The boys from western Chantilly baked plenty of humble pie to go around during their perfect season. It didn't run out as they stood on the Scott Stadium turf and celebrated with class and state championship trophies in hand.
The Bulldogs tore through the regular season and then the second season, beating the toughest competition in the state and finishing ranked in the top 15 in the United States. The only moment of trepidation came in the semifinals against an incredibly athletic Oscar Smith team, which Verbanic's squad edged 24-21.
Westfield's state championship season was far from a fluke. Verbanic's teams have compiled a record of 69-6 over the last six seasons at Westfield. This year's playoff success is nothing new either, as the Bulldogs have won two Northern Region titles and two state championships since 2003. Achieving the success that Westfield has in the Concorde District is no easy feat either. After all, in six of the past seven seasons, the Division 6 state championship game has featured a team that currently competes in the Concorde.....
Leading the way for the Bulldogs this season was quarterback Mike Glennon. Glennon's development behind center was due in large part to the coaching of Verbanic. With Glennon leading his offensive attack, the Bulldogs won 26 of their last 27 games on their way to their second undefeated season in school history. Glennon was recently named the Gatorade Virginia Football Player of the Year.
With offense stealing much of the headlines for Westfield, you would think it would be surprising to hear Verbanic talk so much about his defense, but he does. Verbanic's handle on the entire program is impressive, and the results are proof that he is one of the best this state has ever seen.
There is no question that Westfield has been blessed with some of the best talent in the state in the past few years. That being said, the Bulldogs are always prepared, always tough, and always one of the most fundamentally sound football teams in the state. Ask opposing coaches about playing Westfield, and they all say the same thing; they are extremely well coached.
There are some coaches that lead by intimidation or fear, but Verbanic is far from that guy. He cares about his kids and he takes every opportunity available to teach. He demands a ton from his players and his coaches, but he is the first to give them the credit when things go as planned.
With the graduation of over 40 seniors this spring, Westfield will feature plenty of new faces next season. The one constant in the program will once again be Verbanic and his staff, and that gives the Bulldogs as good of a chance as anyone to compete for another title.
With two state titles in the past 5 years, Westfield's Tom Verbanic is carving out a hall of fame coaching career. It is easy to take things for granted, but Westfield fans need to take notice if they haven't already; their football program couldn't be in better hands.
