Wolf coach Tony Maggio (left) prepares for kickoff as one of his up and coming players, Clay Reilly (2), wanders by. (John Fisken photo)
“My goal was to always get better and build a competitive program. I think we have done that.”
At times rightfully emotional as he looked back on a decade as a football coach, the last five at Coupeville High School, Tony Maggio will miss what he is walking away from. But it is time, he announced Tuesday.
After balancing a full-time position at the Sherwin-Williams Paint Store in Oak Harbor, owning My Father’s House Community Thrift Store, family life with wife April and sons Anthony and Sawyer and coaching, something had to give.
For now, his life on the gridiron will come to an end. Though you’ll still see him at CHS athletic contests, where he has always been a regular presence.
“I look forward to being there at every game, every basketball game, every football game, every volleyball game,” Maggio said. “Be there in the stands, rooting on all of our kids.”
This Friday’s home game against Bellevue Christian (7 PM kickoff) will be his final as head coach of the Wolves, capping a three-year run in which CHS has improved its record each year.
Maggio was an assistant coach at Oak Harbor High School under Dave Ward, then joined Jay Silver in Coupeville.
When Silver was unable to continue commuting daily from Mount Vernon after two seasons, Maggio moved in and became the head man.
During his three years the Wolves beat Island rival South Whidbey twice and currently have ownership of The Bucket.
Coupeville also produced an All-State player (lineman Nick Streubel) who is currently on scholarship at Central Washington University and two 1,000 yard+ rushers in Jake Tumblin and Josh Bayne.
His relationships with players and their families, through good times and bad times, is what he will remember more than scores or individual plays, Maggio said.
“I want to remember the people and how well they have always treated me and my family.”
Looking back on his time, he sported a huge grin when he talked about moments like when he was able to give Raymond Beiriger, an undersized, never-say-die senior, a chance to score in the final game of his senior season.
His pride was undeniable when he spoke of his current players and a moment this season when they showed up and did work around the house for a local woman who had suddenly lost her husband. Or of attending the wedding of former Wolf Cody Grassman.
His five years in Coupeville have had their hard moments, as well. Many of his players have been affected by the harsh reality of life.
Pastor Garrett Arnold, father of hard-running Brett Arnold, was paralyzed after a fall.
Ben Haight’s brother was badly hurt in a hit and run, Jesse Tucker lost his mom before graduation and the murder of former Wolf Adam Garcia hit Maggio especially hard.
“We have had moments we had to go through, but we have gone through them together,” Maggio said. “I am very proud of these young men.”
The ol’ ball coach also sent out a heartfelt thank you to his manager at Sherwin-Williams, Steve Nichols, who went out of his way to make sure Maggio could coach through this season and not have to walk away mid-campaign.
“I have found great value in this company and the level they, and Steve, have shown me, was beyond what I might expect,” he said. “I will always appreciate what he did for me.”
As he gears up for his final game at the controls, Maggio offered the following thoughts:
When the lights turn off at Mickey Clark Field Friday night, I’m not sure how I am going to react.
I do know this — our program is in a good place right now. There is no rebuilding needed.
We have built a foundation based on hard work, practice, teaching, community service, love for each other.
Our kids are not just learning how to win, they are learning to become winners.
At this point in my life, it’s about time — time with those whom I love most.
I have to give back to April, Anthony and Sawyer, who, for the last 10 years, have sacrificed while I have been coaching football.
I want to say thank you to all my coaches for their dedication and hard work.
Coach Smedley, Christensen, King, Schachtner, Conrad, McCrary, Martin, Wright, Haag, Higbee, Heilig, Wilkens, Smith, Engle and Coach V.
Thanks to Robert Pelant, Lori Stolee, Duane Baumann and our chain gang crews for all your help every season.
Thanks to the two best cheer coaches in the state, Sylvia Arnold and Cheridan Eck, for the support from your squads, rain or shine (or mud).
Thank you to our Coupeville Booster Club, for all the support of all CHS athletes.
Parents, I encourage you to get involved and support the CHS boosters. They are doing great things for our kids.
Special thanks to Dr. Shank for believing in our vision and giving us the tools necessary to build a quality program. We have been blessed with top of the line helmets and pads, video gear and practice equipment.
I want to say how appreciative I am for Coach Silver giving me an opportunity to come on staff five years ago. What a good friend he has been to me since.
I can never repay the gift he turned over to me. Mt. Vernon is very lucky to have him at the helm.
To the Streubel family, Engles, Tumblins, Walstads, Baynes, Martins, Kelleys, Shanks, Prince/Risners, Dauceys, Lords, Wrights, Arnolds, Clarks, Savalzas, Schmakeits, Edwards, Valkos, Hesselgraves, Bittings and Grassmans — I’m sure I missed a bunch of parents!! — I want to say I love your kids very much.
What a wonderful job you have done raising them!
To all my current and former players, I have been blessed to have been able to be a part of your lives. God bless.
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