This week’s guest for our 4 Questions with the Coach feature is Shaw interim head football coach Blair Harrison. Coach Harrison previously spent 14 seasons at Brookstone School, another Columbus school that’s just minutes away from Shaw. After leaving the Cougars, he was hired as the Raiders’ offensive coordinator to work with friend and then-head coach Al Pellegrino.
But during the offseason, Pellegrino unexpectedly passed away while on vacation. He was just 56 years old. Harrison was chosen to step in and take over the Shaw football program both as head coach and athletic director (the same title that Pellegrino held) on an interim basis until a final decision can be reached between Harrison and Shaw administration. Here, we ask Harrison about taking over at Shaw and how things are going so far.
Q. Coach Harrison, let me start out by sending our condolences to you and the entire Shaw family on the passing of your friend and boss, coach Al Pellegrino. Had the two of you worked together before, or did you just know him on a personal level?
A. We actually worked together in arena football. He was the defensive coordinator of the Columbus Wardogs and I had gone to work with the organization helping with the defensive backs. We stayed in contact ever since. That was in 2005.
Q. As tough as that situation was, you of course had a team to coach and get ready for the season. Can you talk about how you made that transition of getting yourself and the team past the shock of losing their coach and in a football state of mind?
A. I am not really sure how we did it. There is definitely not a book you can read or anything like that to help. We just put our heads down and went to work. The emotions were there, and still are, but everyone wanted to get going, and I was asked to head the process. I am sure there are different ways to handle this, but the only way I know how to coach is full speed. The kids understand we have a job to do and are handling the change great, but they will never forget Coach P.
Q. Let’s talk about the Shaw football program. Did you install a totally new offense and defense scheme compared to what was in place? Talk about putting your own stamp on things and moving the team forward into 2022.
A. I have actually changed everything on offense, from how we huddle, to how we snap the ball, to how we run our routes. I did not touch the defense at all. I brought in my defensive back coach from Brookstone and he has worked well with our defensive coordinator, who was in place before I got here. There has been a learning curve on how we do things in my program, but for the most part the kids have adjusted great to the changes!
Q. Well, so far so good. You guys got a big season-opening win against Marion County last week, with a big tribute to Coach Pellegrino before the game. Can you give us some insight into the team personnel-wise, and how good do you think you guys can be this year after consecutive 3-7 seasons?
A. I think this team has a lot of talent. They are good enough athletically to win more than three games, but you just never know with kids. I love them all, but it is a process and we are just taking this one day at a time. I know wins mean a lot in this sport, but I can tell you that we are making a difference in these boy’s lives and as long as that continues, I think that is a great thing. I am honored to have been chosen for this task, and I am working harder than I ever have to change the culture here at Shaw.
