So many things going on, people inquiring about what just happened and what might happen ahead, as if there are certainties attached to any of it.
To recap, we've seen the close of one era at Watertown High School and are about to witness the beginning of another, as Roger Ouellette's departure and the arrival of Mike Verronneau as his replacement as WHS football coach became official.
Verroneau is the fourth coach in the history of the WHS varsity program, which will begin it's 46th season on Friday, September 17 against Kennedy High School at the Mills Athletic Complex.
Complex is something Verroneau is not; when I asked him about his approach and how much he'll change the offensive and defensive tactics he said, "Football is football - you block, run and tackle...If we block, run and tackle effectively, we'll be fine."
If Veronneau can mold senior quarterback into his Watertown version of Dave Gondek, look out, because the Indians will be better than fine, especially if a second wide out to take the pressure off Tony Simpson emerges.
I believe the WHS program will be fine; said one respected football figure I contacted yesterday: "They made absolutely the right choice; he'll be a great head coach."
To date, Ouellette's staff is expected to remain intact, as Keith Borkowski and Jerry Valentino have told me they will stay on; currently, there is expected to be one opening which Verroneau hopes to fill quickly.
Also coming on board is new WHS girls' soccer coach Lisa Mariano, as I reported exclusively in the August 5 edition of the Town Times.
An All-State and three-time All-NVL selection while at Naugatuck High School, Mariano went on to star at Stony Brook (NY) University, where she continued to stand out, leading the Seawolves to the NCAA tournament.
Despite starting her playing career at age five, Mariano didn't foresee coaching as an option.
"I really didn't until think about it until I finished school (earning a nursing degree from Wagner College in 2005), and Mr. (Art) Nunes got me into it," Mariano told me in an interview this week. "I was thinking I'd just be coaching little kids, which is fun, but Mr. Nunes got me into it with the Ponte Club and it just sort of went from there."
From there to the Naugy JV position to the head job with the two-time defending NVL Brass Division champion Indians; will she be feeling any pressure to come in and maintain the high level?
"Sure, you want to come in and win, and I'm excited about coming to a really good program and I'm looking forward to the challenge of keeping Watertown at a high level."
Both Veronneau and Mariano are solid appointments, but make no mistake about it, Schools Superintendent Karen Baldwin has made a statement by going outside the the local system in both hires, which has arched not a few eyebrows in Watertown.
It's weeks like this I live for; four Yankee- Red Sox games lie ahead to cap it off.
Isn't Verreneau the asst coach who quit on Crosby? From what i have heard he quit and told the HC that he "didnt have time to coach and wanted a life" Now thats a GREAT hire for Watertown. What happened to Danaj or Croce? Watertown never gets anything right EVER!!
ReplyDeleteI had heard about, but was unable to confirm that story; all I can say is that he doesn't appear to me to be someone who has that attitude, but time will tell whether or not the right call was made.
ReplyDeleteWe'll find out beginning September 17.
As for Croce and Dunaj, I understand that one of the deal-breakers was the mandatory demand that the new coach retain the current coaching staff, as well as personal reasons.