Sports

Successor Named For Dunedin Falcons Football Program

Principal Reuben Hepburn introduces Max Smith's successor for head coach of the Dunedin High football program.




Dunedin High principal Reuben Hepburn said he didn't even finish reading Max Smith's resignation email Wednesday before he knew exactly who would fill the head football coach's cleats.

News of Smith's departure for a postion at University of Toledo was initially devastating, Hepburn said. He had hired Smith, 28, a proven winner with collegiate experience, to take over the floundering Falcons program in 2011. And in just two years, Smith managed to turn the program around, leading the Falcons to their first winning season last year since 2008.

Mid-email, Hepburn closed the message and took a step back. He thought, "Oh my gosh, what are we going to do," he said. In the next instant, it struck him. He knew exactly the man for the job — Smith's assistant, Denis Gillen.

"I'm very funny about who I have in front of our young men and our young women. I'm very particular," Hepburn told players, parents and coaches during an emergency meeting June 22 in the high school auditorium.

He called the meeting late Friday after news of Smith's resignation became public so he could personally introduce the program's successor.

Hepburn said he wanted Gillen — a familiar and trusted face — to lead the program.

"I'm not just talking about building football players," Hepburn said. "I'm talking about building young men who are taught what proper moral values are and taught what it means to be a man."

Continuity of Smith's foundation was also important, he said, especially a month before the season starts, a critical pre-season time when players are being evaluated for the coming fall.

Hepburn said he knew Gillen wasn't "going to come in and change the program the way a new coach would."

Gillen, 43, came to the Falcons program as an assistant in 2010. He had applied for the head coach position to succeed Jack Benson in 2011, but was passed over for Smith. 

Hepburn said it was Gillen's decision to stick around and support the program anyway that spoke volumes for his character, passion and love of Dunedin High. It's those qualities that inspired him to offer the job Gillen, he told players.

"I'm a big believer in preparing for that opportunity in case it comes," Gillen said. "Had the opportunity come up and I was not prepared, I would have been in trouble. ... We're not gonna miss a beat."

The remaining Falcons football staff will remain in tact. And up-and-coming young athletes — some six feet and taller receivers and a star quarterback — are getting  Hepburn and coaches anticipating a "bright future." 

After he'd made the decision to appoint Gillen, Hepburn finally finished reading Smith's email.

He found Smith left him with a recommendation of his own for a head coach replacement — Denis Gillen.

It only validated his decision.

"I stand behind this guy 100 percent," Hepburn said.

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