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Woodstock
once again
searching for
football coach
By Ron P. Coderre
The Woodstock Academy football coaching “merry-go-round” continues to spin without any of its coaches seemingly able to grab the “brass ring” of success.
The latest in the soap opera scenario occurred Jan. 17 when football head coach Jesse Pimental tendered his resignation from the position after only one season at the helm. Under Pimental’s brief watch, the Centaurs were 0-10 with the majority of the losses being of the lopsided version.
According to reports, Pimental cited personal reasons for his departure.
The Academy re-instituted its football program in 2007 following an absence of a gridiron program of approximately 100 years. During its first season in existence it operated as a junior varsity program before moving up to play on the varsity level the next season. In its first varsity season under head coach Jemal Davis the team posted a 4-7 record playing in the Eastern Connecticut Conference Small Division.
Following Davis’ quick exit from Woodstock to take the head coaching position at his alma mater, Norwich Free Academy, former longtime Killingly High School coach Gary Brine took over the reins of the young program.
Under Brine, the Centaurs playing in the ECC Large Division, posted a four-year mark of 10-31. Despite that losing record Brine appeared to be the correct choice for the job because his teams were playing competitive football and there appeared to be a plan in place for improving the program. His quick departure is rumored to have been because of differences within the organization on the direction things were going with the gridiron fortunes.
It appears that Pimental realized early on the job of coaching Woodstock football was more than what he originally assumed. Since playing varsity football the Centaurs have posted a 12-58 record. According to reports, this year’s team finished the season with 42 players on the roster. Initially, when the program started in 2008 more than 100 players reported to the field. The numbers have been decreasing every year.
Woodstock Academy recently petitioned the ECC to allow the program to drop down to the Small Division for the next two seasons. The school, which boasts more than 1000 students, will compete against schools with much smaller enrollments. The move is explained as an opportunity to rebuild the program.
Despite the fact that the WPTP Youth Football League stands for Woodstock, Pomfret, Thompson, Putnam the feeder system of kids going to the Academy hasn’t turned things around. A recent effort, headed primarily by Woodstock people, Quiet Corner Football notes that more than 100 youngsters have attended its youth football clinics. It’s possible this could have a positive effect but the results of such clinics may be years down the road.
Meanwhile, Woodstock Academy and recently appointed Athletic Director Aaron Patterson are in search of a new head coach to take over a program that is attempting to develop an identity and eventually grab the “brass ring.”