Andover Head Coach Jim Dewald named Head Coach Seaholm

School consolidation did not provide job security. The head coaching position at the New Bloomfield High School would not be made until November 2012. It would be a choice between Dewald who did amazing things with a minimum number of player’s and Lahser Coach Dan Loria who had taken twice the Knights to the State play-offs and is expected to have another contender this fall.

Bloomfield Hills Andover Head Football Coach Jim Dewald has accepted the head coaching position at Birmingham Seaholm High School for the 2012 season. In three seasons at Andover Dewald teams posted a very misleading 3 and 24 record. When asked about the hiring process, Seaholm Athletic Director Arron Frank said, “We flipped through the phone book and found Coach Dewalt on top of page 38.” Seriously...Frank detailed a through process involving numerous committees and in depth research. Many involved in the selection process had direct experience with Coach Dewald. Frank said “Wins and losses were nor as important than the character of the Individual. Jim was an outstanding Coach, teacher and Leader at Pontiac Northern and Andover. Andover was difficult situation with the schools combining.”

Declining enrollment meant that the Andover Barons struggled to man a 24 player roster. In 2011the team was winless but scored dramatic foruth quartercomebacks against state play off teams like Lahser and North Farmington which kept the outcome in doubt until the final gun. In October Andover Football faced a Near Death Experience School Superintendent Robert Glass said the 2012 Varsity football team might canceled due a lack of players. A district wide effort which produced 30 possible players granted a December reprieve.

Dewald is expected to start calculating X’s and O’s for Seaholm almost immediately. The first game is tentatively schedule for August 23rd.

“ Most people in the community have no idea how much is involved.” Frank said. When asked about compensation for the Head Coach, Frank said, “I’ll tell you exactly. It is a matter of public record. $6699 and that probably won’t even pay for the gas.”