New Coaches Ready For Challenge Ahead
Like every offseason, the coaching carousel goes round and round and we're left with a whole bunch of mixing and matching. It's become a fact of life in high school football and we've come to expect it. Yet no matter what the situation or whomever the coach may be, they all have the same expectation and desire: TO WIN.
Now, it's something easier said than done, but every new head coach brings with them a plan for winning not only now but in the future. Will it happen? That's tough to say. A lot of times, new coaches spark new life into once-dormant programs (see Michael Burnett at Broad Run and Mike Lalli at Chantilly for reference). Sometimes, well, eh, let's just say it wasn't meant to be.
So how will this year's current fresh faces fare in their inaugural year? Will they win and lay down a successful foundation for future years? We have that all covered for you below as we profile this year's current crop of new coaches.
Case #1
Coach: Mike Dougherty
Previous Stint: Dominion High School
New Assignment: Stonewall Jackson
Mission: Take a Stonewall Jackson program that has loads of potential and get them to the next level.
Difficulty Level: Code Blue (Less Difficult)
Coach Dougherty is a face that is a familiar one around here. He was first equipped with the task of starting a program from scratch, but those plans changed as he now finds himself in a much different situation. This time, Dougherty doesn't have to worry about the foundation of the program as it's already there. Stonewall Jackson is in fact flooded with talent. They were home to one of the nation's best running backs in Ryan Williams and are again home to one of the better talents across the nation in Damien Thigpen who has already committed to play for Tennessee.
What this Stonewall team needs, however, isn't more talent, although that certainly couldn't hurt. But instead, Dougherty will be asked to take that talent and win with it. All the pieces are in place, they just need the right general to guide their troops to victory.
Case #2
Coach: Karl Buckwalter
Previous Stint: McLean and Colonial Forge
New Assignment: Dominion High School
Mission: Get a young program off the ground to a high level of competency.
Difficulty Level: Code Yellow (Moderately Difficult)
For those unfamiliar with Buckwalter, you need to know that he can win. His first coaching gig was with McLean, a place with not much history, and ended up finding success. He gave that school its first ever region championship as well as five playoff appearances. Then after moving to Colonial Forge in Stafford, he started that program from scratch, and what do you know, he sent them to the playoffs after just two years. Simply put, the guy knows how to win. Yet not only has Buckwalter won, he's done so when the odds were stacked against him. We don't expect Buckwalter to win right away at Dominion, but after year three, when star running back DeAndre Reaves is a senior, we expect them to make a playoff run.
Case #3
Coach: Jim Patrick
Previous Stint: Hylton Assistant
New Assignment: McLean High School
Mission: Take a McLean program that has struggled to win since the Buckwalter days and get them on the right track
Difficulty Level: Code Orange (Fairly Difficult)
We're not going to lie here, coach Patrick has an uphill battle ahead of him. This is his first head coaching gig and he's inheriting a program that hasn't won in a long time. For what it's worth, Patrick does have good blood lines as his dad, Bruce, won a state title with Mount Vernon back in 1983. For those with good enough memories, Patrick was a stalwart on the offensive line for Hayfield where he was an all-region selection. At Hylton, Patrick had the luxury of working with some of the best offensive talents in the area, many of whom were DI-A prospects, but that won't be the case with McLean. People will have to be patient with McLean as it might Patrick a few years to kick-start that program.
Case #4
Coach: Mike Bolin
Previous Stint: James Wood Assistant
New Assignment: James Wood
Mission: Continue the strong James Wood football tradition that was started by Walter Barr
Difficulty Level: Code Blue (Less Difficult)
Coach Bolin's toughest part about taking over the reigns of James Wood is to follow the footsteps of legend Walter Barr. Luckily for him, he does inherit an 8-2 team that was one drive away from toppling Sherando in the playoffs. There is plenty of talent left in the cupboard for Bolin, so the transition should go smoothly. This is probably the coaching job that will be the most successful this year.
Case #5
Coach: Roy Ferri
Previous Stint: Stuart and Centreville Assistant
New Assignment: Stuart
Mission: Resurrect this program from the ashes
Difficulty Level: Code Red (Very Difficult)
The toughest mission for this year has been assigned to Ferri. This is a program that many people consider dead, and tough to ever resurrect it again. As a refresher for those who might not know, Stuart used to be competitive back in the 80's up until the mid-90's. Ironically, that's when Ferri used to coach at Stuart. One thing going for Ferri in this situation is that this is his home turf. He lives in Falls Church and has spent the majority of his coaching career at Stuart. It's almost as if it's his homecoming. The school is his pride and joy and to see the program in its current state is something he won't stand for. Whether or not his passion will result in the resurrection of this program from the dead remains to be seen, but Stuart if there was a person to do it, it would be Ferri.
Case #6
Coach: Danny McGrath
Previous Stint: Park View Assistant
New Assignment: Loudoun Valley
Mission: Make Loudoun Valley competitive once again
Difficulty Level: Code Orange (Fairly Difficult)
Let's be honest about several things right off the bat here: McGrath knows football. He's been coached under one of the best football minds that ever lived in Frank Beamer when he played for Virginia Tech. On top of that, he was the captain of his team during his senior year when they were one quarter away from a Chick-Fil-A bowl win. Not to mention he was taught by Tommy Meier when at Herndon, who has always been regarded as one of the area's best. So despite McGrath's age at 25, his knowledge of the game is certainly there. That is certainly not a problem. The biggest thing that's holding him back for this year is his late hiring and struggle to find assistant coaches. How well he handles that will tell the most about this year's squad. Don't forget either that the last coach to be hired at age 25 in this area was Chris Beatty at North Stafford. Eight years, seven playoff appearances, four region titles and one state title later, it's safe to say that worked out okay.
