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First-Year Nighthawks Coach Expects Aggressive Attitude, Winning Season

Posted on August 29, 2011
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Coming off a 2-8 varsity season in 2010, Del Norte High School Varsity Head Football Coach Leigh Cole is excited about the upcoming 2011 campaign and his team’s effort to be competitive in league play.  Leigh, in his first year coaching the Nighthawks, previewed the opportunities and challenges facing the team for the readers of 92127 Magazine.

Q&A with Coach Cole

92127 Question: What is your outlook for the upcoming football season for the Del Norte High School Nighthawks team?

Coach Cole: We are looking forward to being very competitive this season. We expect to finish the season with a winning record and are hoping to make the playoffs.

 

92127 Question: What are your team’s strengths entering the upcoming season?

Coach Cole: Our leadership; even though we’re young, we have a lot of players who have played on the Varsity before. There’s no substitute for playing experience, and several of our players have played on the Varsity level, so that’s going help us a lot.

 

 

92127 Question: What areas of the team offer you the biggest challenges for the upcoming season?

Coach Cole: We are going to be a very young team as our senior class is relatively small, but we are very athletic and smart. So, the kids are going to be able to learn the new stuff reasonably fast. We will be competitive and play with passion.

 

92127 Question: Who are the leading returning starters for the team?

Coach Cole: We have several returning starters this year, but are expecting several players to stand out including seniors Tyeshay Davis, Wayne Ganan and Kevin McGlone. Keep a look out for returning sophomore starter Patrick Zeller and first-year starting quarterback Alex Dion.

 

92127 Question: What changes or shifts are planned in your offensive or defensive philosophies?

Coach Cole: We will be running the ball a lot more this season and will feature a much more aggressive defense than last year.

 

92127 Question: What do you enjoy most about coaching high school football?

Coach Cole: I enjoy developing long lasting relationships with the players and families. I love keeping in touch with former players and seeing all the success they earn throughout their lives.

 

92127 Question: What was your inspiration for getting into coaching?

Coach Cole: In the 4th grade, I helped some of my classmates experience success in physical education class and got a tremendous feeling from making a difference. After that, I always wanted to have a positive impact on people. I guess it was natural coming from a family of teachers. My father, mother, grandmother and aunt were all teachers. Now, my son has decided to become a teacher as well.

 

92127 Question: How do you describe your basic coaching philosophy?

Coach Cole: I believe in keeping things simple and making sure that every player knows exactly what to do on every play. So I guess you could describe my coaching philosophy as simple and repetitious.

 

 

Head Coach/Off Coordinator: Leigh Cole

Defensive Coordinator: Jeff Polson

Defensive Line: Ben Kelso

Inside Linebackers: Robert Brooks

Outside Linebackers: Spenser Harrison

Cornerbacks: Paris Brown

Safeties: Jermaine McDonald

Offensive Line: Kevin Tobin

Running Backs: David Duggin

Tight Ends/Special Teams: Casey Ash

Receivers: Adam Gajo

Mascot: Nighthawks

Last year’s record: 2-8

Fall Practice Start Date: Aug. 8

First game: Sept. 2

Returning starters (defense): 8

Returning starters (offense): 7

League: Valley

 

 

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