The state championships and personal milestones have never been high on Dino Garr’s priority list, so Rye’s latest NYSPHSAA title really wasn’t a factor when the winningest football coach in state history again huddled up with his inner circle to discuss the possibility of retiring after 50 seasons.
Garr will be on the sideline when the Garnets open the season against Cornwall on September 4 at Nugent Stadium.
“There have been thoughts about retiring for several years,” said Garr, who last September became the winningest coach in state history. “Obviously, last year was such a special year and I think all those things coming together made it seem like it might be a good time to retire, but I’ve never really done this for the wins or championships. I did it because coaching is something I enjoy and it’s been a gift I feel was given to me in terms of being able to do it here in a great community.
“So when I talked with my family and people who are important and close to me, we came to the same conclusion, I’m doing this because I feel I still can and the school and community feel I still can. I’m not going to leave now because we won a state championship.”
Rye administrators were discussing a succession plan just in case, but allowed Garr time and space to make a decision.
“They have been great and were just asking me to let them know and telling me they were going to carry on as we always do until I say I’m not coming back,” he said.
Garr informed the school in March that he was revved up for another season.
“We had met previously to discuss thoughts about the future,” Rye athletic director Susan Reid said. “He took some time to reflect on his past as well as the future. It’s interesting, many people have said to him, ‘Why not go? You won a state title and broke a state record.’ If you know coach Garr, you know it’s not about that. If you ask him what his ‘why’ is, it’s the players. If you ask him what’s the next best thing about coaching football, he would tell you it’s the strategy. He still feels he has a love for the game still has the ability to coach the next generation of Garnets, and so do we. He’s earned the right to do so.”
Garr was on hand for the player interest meetings last month.
The 78-year-old has a 375-114-9 record over 50 seasons at Westlake and Rye. He’s celebrated five NYSPHSAA championships, two in the last three seasons, and remains unafraid of fourth-and-8 no matter the time, no matter the score.
“Rye is such a great community,” Garr added. “The program is on a good footing. The coaches are all there, so if and when I leave, everything it will be in good shape, but I’m hoping we’re ready to have another good year.”
The Garnets went 14-0 last season but will be graduating 24 seniors next month, so there are lots of Xs and Os to move around before the first day of practice in August.
“We have a lot to put in, but we’ve got some good kids,” Garr said. “We’ve been fortunate over the years to have kids who are ready to step up. Many have been successful in other sports and we have a good tradition here in Rye, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Mike Dougherty covers high school football for The Journal News/lohud.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Rye coach Dino Garr will be on the sideline when football kicks off
Reporting by Mike Dougherty, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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