AHS alum and assistant football coach Mike Scott was named head varsity football coach for the 2010 season today, Feb. 26. Scott will replace the legendary Dick Adams and become just the fifth head coach in AHS’ 56-year school history.

“I’m extremely excited and very proud to become Annandale High School’s next football coach,” said Scott, also a World History 1 teacher at AHS. “It’s a great opportunity and it’s the only place I’d want to be head coach. It’s really a dream come true.”

Scott played wide receiver for the Atoms when he attended the school from 1984-1988 and has been an assistant with the team since 1996. Last year he served as the Atoms special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach. He also has spent time working with the offensive and defensive lines, as well as helping coach freshman football during his tenure as an assistant. In the spring, Scott has served as the boys varsity tennis head coach for the past four years, and has also been head track coach during his time at AHS.

“[The hiring of Scott] is phenomenal news for Annandale High School,” said Adams, who stepped down from the position just over a month ago. “He is an excellent coach and he is totally committed to Annandale High School and the Annandale community. That’s the way it’s been with every single coach that has coached for this school.”

Adams was the head coach for AHS from 1990-2009 and announced his retirement on Jan. 20, saying he was “out of gas” and expressed a desire to devote more time to his family. He is an AHS coaching legend, having an overall record of 132-83 and leading the Atoms to back-to-back state championships in 1993 and 1994. He also won three regional championships and seven district championships during his time as coach. Adams will continue as AHS’ Assistant Director of Student Activities. Replacing Adams would be a daunting task for most individuals, but Scott is confident that he will be able to continue the success and tradition that Adams left behind.

“Of course it will be difficult to replace him,” Scott said. “He’s a legend with two state championships. But I’ve coached under him for 15 years, played for another legend in coach [Bob] Hardage, and I am confident that the Annandale High School tradition will stay the same.”

Adams understands what Scott is going through, having had to replace coach Hardage in 1990.

“I lived this 20 years ago when I was hired,” said Adams. “But I picked up where my head coach had left off and I’m sure coach Scott will do the same. [Coach Scott and his staff] will pick up where I left off, improve, and take Annandale football to another level.”

Applicants for the head coaching vacancy submitted their résumés to a panel consisting of Adams, Director of Student Activities Angelo Hilios, Assistant Principals Vincent Randazzo and Jamie Carayiannis, AHS math teacher and former swim coach Bruce Fisher, Director of Student Services Steve Sengstack, athletic booster club president Bill Stearns, and community representative Bob Bermingham. The panel reviewed the résumés and then each gave two recommendations to principal John Ponton, who eventually made the decision to choose Scott.

“I think it was a great decision by Mr. Ponton to ensure the tradition of Annandale football and of Annandale High School,” said Adams. “This is the most unique coaching situation in the state of Virginia as far as tradition and school pride and although we’re bringing in a new coach with new ideas, he will maintain a commitment to the tradition and the little things that have been consistent for 56 years.”

Scott understands the tradition of excellency that Annandale High School and that Annandale football have exuded during its history.

“Annandale High School has a unique tradition unlike anything else in the country,” Scott said. “It’s not about wins and losses…wins are just the by-products of what we do here. This includes players being leaders in the classroom and in the community and I assure you that that will not change.”

The tradition of Annandale High School is not just leadership though, according to both Scott and Adams.

“The kids are accustomed to our pride, our colors, and the expectation of involvement in other sports,” Adams said. “This will continue and that’s a great thing.”

“We will continue to be red; we will continue to be white,” Scott said. “Our shoes will be polished, our shirts will be tucked in, and our socks will be pulled up. None of this tradition will change but I’ll be sure to put my stamp on the program in other ways.”

The players also fully support the decision to name Scott head coach.

“It’s a great honor that coach Scott is taking on the head coaching position and seeing that Annandale is sticking to our tradition,” said junior linebacker Yari Mizouri.

“[Coach Scott] is a good coach to take the job because he knows what it takes to win,” said junior lineman Bob Stevens. “He knows what it’s like to be a player and knows the tradition and expectations that go with the head coaching job.”

Coach Scott is already looking forward to next season.

“I can’t wait to get started,” he said. “I want to have a meeting with the returning players as soon as possible and get a parent meeting together in the next few weeks.”

The Atoms finished with a 4-6 record last year, so Scott will work to improve upon those results. But for the moment, Scott, Adams, players, students, and members of the Annandale High School community can look forward to the continuing tradition of Annandale football.

“I’m just very, very happy with the decision,” Adams said smiling.