By Kyle Melnick ‘14

Six new varsity head coaches have taken the sideline this school year for the Warriors. New football coach Chris Grier has already begun his Warrior legacy, earning a 7-4 record and a playoff appearance in his first season. Soccer coaches Michael Kogok (boys) and Danielle Rosanova (girls) have also gotten their Sherwood coach careers started on their respective teams. New basketball coaches Tim Gilchrist (boys) and Chris Campbell (girls) are prepared for their winter seasons. Lastly, Ashley Barber takes over the softball team in the spring.

“A major key for a varsity coach is being able to organize and execute a program,” said Athletic Director Elizabeth Green.

New coaches bring new approaches and attitudes to the games and practices, as well as new play styles and play books. This can be a huge transition for the players, as they have become comfortable with their old coach’s practice and game strategy. This is especially relevant for the football program, as they have had three different coaches in the last four years.

“In some aspects you might think that so much transition makes it easier for the players, which it can, but it also can make it more difficult,” said Grier. “Once the players saw my dedication to the program and believed that they would be the start of a new long era of Sherwood football, they have given everything they have to build a strong foundation for the future. That being said, we aren’t playing for the future, we are playing for right now.”

Although having a new head coach is exciting, it can also be extremely frustrating. All coaches demand differently from their athletes. Some coaches approach the sport in a supportive manner, staying positive and never getting down on their athletes. However, some coaches feel the only way to win and get the most out of their athletes is to be very demanding and vocal with the expectation that the athletes perform every time they step on the field. Many coaches believe a mix of these styles is the best way to go.

“There is always a learning curve for players when a new coach comes in. The process does take time but the players have work[ed] hard, are receptive to instruction and have positive attitudes,” said Kogok.

Most of these new coaches have taken over traditionally successful programs at Sherwood, and are expected to continue the success. Barber, who takes over a team that has won consecutive 4A state championships, will be in charge of continuing the momentum and adding to the softball legacy. She hopes to bring her own aspects of coaching and combine them with what former coach Pat Flanagan brought to the players.

“It’s a new year, Flanagan was a great coach who has been here a long time,” said Barber. “I think we both have similar styles in some aspects and different in others. I was fortunate enough to work with her the past four years [as assistant coach]. We will practice and play hard. I just want to push the girls to get better and be the best individually and as a team and hopefully they can take themselves as far as they have in the past.”

The same stands for Gilchrist, who is taking over the basketball team that made it to the Maryland State Semifinals in 2012. “Sherwood basketball has a great tradition and I am proud to be a part of that tradition. I hope to continue where players/coaches of the past have left off. The program will continue to thrive and the current players know the responsibility they have to the tradition of Sherwood basketball, to the community, and to themselves as leaders and positive influences within Sherwood High School,” said Gilchrist.