The "I'm Gonna Need A Whole New Wardrobe" Story

Part of the headline on the Washington Post Sports page.

It was an ordinary day.  Getting all kinds of emails and calls about the move.  Not just any move, but a move that made the front page of the Washington Post Sport's section.  Story about my son-in-law Dave taking a new job.  Dave has been the head football coach at Quince Orchard High School, Montgomery County, MD for the past 10 years.  Only high school head-coaching job he ever held.  During those 10 years his team won 107 games while losing 18 and reached the playoffs every year.  

Collage of photos posted in a local Maryland newspaper.

The QO Cougars finished the regular season undefeated three times and won the 4A State title in 2007 while finishing 2nd in the state in 2011 and 2012.  He was the Montgomery County Coach of the Year four times, 2007 Maryland State Coach of the Year, 2007 Washington Post All-Met Coach of the Year, 2007 Washington Redskins High School Coach of the Year and four of his assistants are now head coaches in high school football.  Last year he was picked to be the head-coach of the Maryland team in the Big 33 Game against the state of Pennsylvania.  Over 52 of his players played college football and nine of his players were named All-State 1st Team Players.  

Dave celebrating a big win.

And, Dave has given Carol and I as well as his entire family some of the most memorable moments in sports.  Dave, along with my daughter Brynn and grandkids Courtney and Camille, lives in Frederick County.  Courtney and Camille both are students in the Urbana school system.  So, Dave decided that he was tired of the 45 minute commute every day and missing most of his daughters school events and applied for the recently vacated head football coaching job at Urbana High School.  He was one of 28 applicants for the job, but I'm sure, even though the school interviewed four of the applicants, it was a no-brainer to hire him for the job.  He can walk to the school now as well as have more quality time for his wife and two girls.  Former head coach at Urbana, Ryan Hines, stepped down to take the Athletic Director's job at the school and commented when Dave was announced as the new head coach, "It's amazing.  I don't think you can find a better coach in the state of Maryland to take the job.  We had some strong candidates, but when you look at the full body of work, I don't think anybody compares to what Dave's done.  We are very fortunate!"  I'm sure he couldn't believe his luck when Dave expressed interest in the job for it's not that many times when someone with Dave's credentials takes an interest in your school.  Ryan's tenure as head coach during his four years on the job was 37 wins and 11 losses as well as going 10-0 and winning the 4A State Championship in 2010.  Dave is extremely passionate about football.  He loves not only football, but making a positive influence on the lives of young men.  Dave was introduced last week to the students of Urbana High School between the junior varsity and varsity basketball games.  Can't imagine the applause and excitement in the stands.  Not only was he introduced, but his wife and two girls, my daughter Brynn and granddaughters Courtney and Camille, were introduced.  

Story in the Frederick, MD newspaper.

I can just imagine the embarrassment that Courtney experienced since she doesn't like to be in the limelight.  But Camille, well she was living it up.  Dave will now be able to experience more of the lives of his two daughters, much the same as I did with my three children when I taught in the same high school where they were students.  Dad will be able to keep an eye on them now.  My daughter will be able to give her girls some advice, since she had to put up with me as not only a parent in the school, but as her teacher and yearbook advisor for two years.  She survived as will Courtney and Camille and will be all the better for it.  Dave's passion is football and teaching young men about the game of football as well as the game of life.  He has been extremely successful doing that job that and I suspect it will not be any different in a different school environment.  Nice that his children can be a part of his winning in the same school as where they go.  Yeah, I suspect that when the football team loses a game his daughters will hear  about it, but with his win-loss ratio, the positive comments will outweigh the negative comments.  Carol and I are very proud of our son-in-law and enjoy our visits to Maryland for football games.  

Dave's new team's logo.  The "Hawks or Urbana"

Now we might be able to see our granddaughters cheering for their dad on the field in the near future.  Our only complaint is we now have to acquire an entire new wardrobe of athletic clothes.  Just when I was beginning to enjoy wearing the red and black of Quince Orchard.  But, the school colors of Blue and White are the same as the school where I taught for 33 years, so I'm already used to wearing those colors.  Gonna be an exciting adventure the next couple of years for Dave as well as his family.  I'm betting his winning attitude will carry on at Urbana High School.  We all love you Dave!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS - the letter that Dave wrote to the parents, students and members of the Quince Orchard Community follows.  It will give you an idea of the ideals and character of my son-in-law and football coach Dave Mencarini.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Dear Parents, Students, and members of the Quince Orchard Community,

          It is with great emotion that I type this letter to inform you that I have been offered and accepted the Head Football position at Urbana High School. I met with all of the current players today at lunch to inform them of my decision. As you can imagine, it was quite emotional for the kids and me. It is very important that you hear from me directly as opposed to second hand sources. My decision to leave Quince Orchard has nothing to do with how I feel about this community, school, program, and the incredible people associated with it. It is strictly based on what I feel is best for my family, specifically my daughters, Courtney and Camille.

          As you are aware, I live in the Urbana community and my girls will attend Urbana High School in a few years. I only know one way to run a football program, full-steam ahead. This obviously takes a lot of time and energy. It also takes a tremendous amount of time and energy away from my family. I absolutely love teaching, coaching, mentoring, and developing young men using the sport of football. It is who I am and what I am passionate about. Simply, I miss my girls. They are growing up so fast. They need their dad around more. This move allows me to accomplish two things: continue to do what I love and be a better dad.

          The past 12 years that I have spent in this community have been such a rewarding and incredible experience it cannot be put into words. I am so proud of the young men who believed in the vision of this program and who allowed myself and our coaches to help them develop life-long skills, values, and relationships. The accomplishments that have occurred in the past decade could not have been achieved without incredible assistant coaches, supportive administration, and the best fans in the state of Maryland, the Red Army.

          Aside from all the great victories and agonizing defeats, I'm most proud of how Quince Orchard Football is now synonymous with the elite programs in the state of Maryland. This will continue moving forward. I am very confident that whoever is chosen to take the position of head coach will have great success because ultimately there are great young men and special people associated with this program. Although my decision may create some uncertainty about the future, rest assured that this program is very stable.

          I cannot thank you enough for your unwavering support for the past 10 years. I could not have written a better chapter of my life. Although I am very excited about this next chapter, I will always keep the Cougar family close to my heart. I bleed red and black and that will never change. It's been a tremendous honor to be the Head Football Coach at Quince Orchard High School.

With Much Love and Appreciation,

Dave Mencarini