HEDGESVILLE, W.Va. — It will be a new era for the Hedgesville football program in the fall as head coach Rich Thomaselli officially stepped down from the position within the past week.
Thomaselli spent the past four seasons at the helm after inheriting a team in 2010 that went 2-8 the previous year.
“It’s just like when I played the game and stepped aside, it’s one of those feelings you have deep down inside,” Thomaselli said. “I think last year was a perfect time to step out of it with that team – I love those kids. We got a lot done within the program as far as facilities. I think we produced a good program and got them going in the right direction, (I’ll) let someone else take the ball and go with it.”
The Eagles went 4-6 this past season, but lost their last five straight games following a 4-1 start. An injury to senior quarterback Troy Markley significantly hampered Hedgesville overall.
“We were off on a roll and then Troy sustained an injury and we had to move some people around – we didn’t have the depth that some other teams have,” he said. “But the kids played hard and I loved working with those kids. Nobody cared about individual stats – they were all about the team. This school became a family and it’s where it should be.
“My energy isn’t where it was when I first got here towards the game of football,” he said. “I believe they could get someone in here who could re-energize what we started. We built a good foundation for a young coach to come in here and carry the ball. I think it’s a good situation for anybody. I just feel my time was up.”
As far as facilities go during Thomaselli’s tenure, Hedgesville added a $50,000 weight room, a new sod field, bought $50,000-$60,000 dollars in helmets and shoulder pads, along with a new $110,000 scoreboard.
“It’s been four years of getting fundraisers and doing things to bring a program back that’s been down for a while,” he said. “We earned a lot of respect from the other teams we played – the kids played very hard my four years here. They were determined to win and we had opportunities – in two, maybe three of the four years, if we stay healthy, I think we have a chance for the playoffs.”
As for what’s next for Thomaselli down the road?
“I’ve been active for a while and it’s time to step back,” he said. “I already have had some contacts from some people as far as assistant jobs – and that’s probably the route I’ll go. As far as head coaching, I’ve had my days and mainly the programs I’ve worked with have been rebuilding programs – and I really enjoy starting from the ground up.”