Coach changes for soccer and football- By Opinion Editor Mckenna Gillard

Photo courtesy Eagles' Eyrie Skip Stevens (l) with mother, Penny, at the GHS Hall of Fame ceremony. Stevens has resigned as soccer coach.

Godwin boys varsity soccer coach Skip Stevens and varsity football head coach Logan McPherson have resigned at Godwin their coaching positions at Godwin.

Stevens has been head coach of the boys varsity soccer team for five years and assistant coach for three years. He officially resigned from his coaching position effective last November.

Photo courtesy Eagles' Eyrie                                 Skip Stevens (l) with mother, Penny, at the GHS Hall of Fame ceremony. Stevens has resigned as soccer coach.

Photo courtesy Eagles’ Eyrie                                             Skip Stevens (l) with mother, Penny, at the GHS Hall of Fame ceremony. Stevens has resigned as soccer coach.

As a Godwin alum and former soccer team member, Stevens’ passion for the school and its athletic program led him to the coaching position in 2009.

He has since worked with coaching staff Bucky Stevens, Buddy George, Shane Schlesman, Matt Charnes, Alison Toole, and Chris Brill. Last year, the team had a 136-24-6 record.

During his time as assistant coach, the team placed as State Runner-Up in 2009 and State Quarterfinalist in 2011. They were undefeated in Godwin Axselle Stadium in 2009 and 2011.

The team won State Champions in 2015, State Semi-Finalists in 2014 and 2016, and the State Sportsmanship Award in 2015.

For each of his five seasons as head coach, the team ranked Top 25 in the nation, ranking first during both 2012 and 2013. The team currently has a 58 game unbeaten streak at Axselle Stadium.

“As a former student and player, having the opportunity to come back and win the state championship as a coach, with my brother on the sidelines as my assistant, is definitely a feeling that I will never forget and will always cherish,” said Stevens.

The decision to leave Godwin was difficult and emotional for Stevens.

“Unfortunately, it simply was a necessary decision for me to make at this time in my life. I am presently not in a position where I can devote the amount of time that I believe is necessary to be head coach,” said Stevens.

According to Director of Student Activities Tom Nadeau, Godwin is still in the process of finding a new coach for the boys soccer team because of a delay requiring clarification on new hiring practices for head coaches.

Photo courtesy Eagles' Eyrie Logan McPherson has resigned as varsity football coach.

Photo courtesy Eagles’ Eyrie Logan McPherson has resigned as varsity football coach.

Stevens has confidence in the program under new leadership. He hopes that they will play with the same passion, determination, and teamwork as prior seasons.

Godwin also lost McPherson, who resigned after coaching the team from 2014 to 2016.  A new coach will be found for the 2017 season.

McPherson resigned because he did not have enough time to commit to coaching while working at Capital One for his day job.

He wrapped up his three-season coaching career at Godwin with a 15-15 record.  The team had a 5-5 record in 2016, 4-6 record in 2015, and a 6-4 record in 2014.

Ron Axselle was Godwin’s first varsity football head coach, serving 24 years from 1980 to 2004. Since Axselle’s retirement, Godwin football has had three coaches- Will Kitchen, John Phillips, and McPherson.

The new football coach will be Godwin’s fourth in seven years.

The coaching positions for football and soccer have been posted but not yet filled.

 

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