There seems to have been a pattern in the Columbus area over the past two years of head football coaches moving around like pieces on a game board. Pacelli High School is another one of those schools who has seen a few coaches rotate in and out of the job position, but with the announcement last fall of a new head coach, maybe this one is a keeper
Mark LeGree, a former assistant coach at Pacelli, was promoted to the job of head football coach following the 2016 football season. If the name sounds familiar, it may be for dual reasons. One, LeGree is a 2007 graduate of Pacelli High School, and, two, he is a former collegiate and professional football player.
LeGree attended Appalachian State University for four years and was later drafted in the 5th round of the NFL by the Seattle Seahawks. He joined the coaching staff at Pacelli last year as an assistant coach. He took over the program, which had been under the direction of Pacelli Athletic Director, Buster Connally, for one season. Connally had been an interim head coach following the departure of former Vikings football coach Alan Griffin.
With just one win last season, the 1-9 record (1-5 region) was disappointing to say the least. LeGree and his staff have their work cut out for them, but the new head coach has adopted a positive yet realistic approach.
“Last year was very tough going 1-9,” he said. “It’s a new year with a new coach. Going back to basic fundamentals to get the program back into the right direction.”
As a graduate and former athlete at Pacelli, LeGree has an emotional investment in his new job. Looking to develop a successful program, LeGree says he motivates his newly-formed team by keeping them excited about the game and by mixing up the daily grind. He also says he shares “personal stories about my football past and apply it to them.”
With 29 players in the Viking program, some athletes will be seeing time on both the offense and defense. Josef Douglas (DB/RB) is a returning starter for both sides of the ball. Douglas, 5’9” and 160 lbs., had the only interception last season for Pacelli. On offense, he will be joined by returning starters Jack Funderburk (OG), 6’1” and 185 lbs., and Connor Barrows (DE/OL), 5’11” and 205 lbs. Vikings quarterback Jacob Anderson will be returning as well. Anderson, 5’10” and 170 lbs., is the team leader in passing for last season with 18 completions out of 49 attempts for a total of 167 yards.
Other returning defensive starters include Justin Jackson (LB/FB), 5’9” and 180 lbs., Matthew Dawahare (LB/FB), 5’10” and 180 lbs., and Justin Bates (C/DL), 5’9” and 185 lbs. Both Bates and Dawahare made the Vikings Top Academic List with GPAs of 4.4 and 4.3, respectively. Another athlete to watch on the Pacelli team this fall is Ash Vestal (OL/DL). Vestal, 6’1” and 280 lbs., is considered to be a college prospect.
LeGree expects his team, although a young team by his own admission, to be more disciplined and motivated. He also anticipates the 2017 team to be a contender and win more games. Perhaps his philosophy of coaching in regards to offense, keep pounding four yards at a time, will be successful. LeGree has adopted the acronym E.A.T. for his defense; E=Everyone to the ball, A=Aggressive, T=Takeaways.
Because football has been such an important part of his life, LeGree has had the opportunity to be exposed to some great coaching. He feels his job as a coach and that of his coaching staff is to be better coaches, which he feels will make it as easy as possible for his players to do their jobs.
It’s a clean slate at Pacelli this football season. While no one knows what the season holds for the Vikings, it’s pretty clear the new coach is excited. When asked which game might hold special meaning for his team, LeGree proved he still has that Viking spirit.
“Brookstone,” he said. “School rivalry. Time to bring the jug home.”
Columbus Valley/Fall Football Preview/August 2017
Pacelli High School
Columbus, Georgia
By Beth Welch
LeGree promoted to head coach at Pacelli
