Change can be hard. Everyone in the world goes through changes whether it is moving  to a different neighborhood, or changing schools, or even changing your diet. The Norristown Area High School football team has been going through a big change lately: a new head coach.

After a lengthy search lead by the Chest County Intermediate Unit, Joseph Milligan has been named as the new head coach of Norristown Football.  Supporting him is Coach Rodchine Lusane.  Both new coaches work in the Norristown Area School District; Milligan is Business teacher at Eisenhower Science and Technology Academy, and Lusane serves as a security guard at the high school.

While the titles might be new, neither Milligan or Lusane are new to Norristown Football. Milligan is an alumni of NAHS and Lusane has served on the coaching staff for a number of years prior to this position.  They bring with them years of experience on and off the field and have a strong vision for the program as well as a sound knowledge of the game and community.

Still, this is a big change that comes after a somewhat unexpected resignation of former Coach Jason Powel.  The team has been in a state of uncertainty as the coach has continued throughout the school year.  Now Milligan and Lusane will have to work the hearts, minds, and bodies of these young players to get them to operate as a cohesive team once again. Both coaches seem ready for the challenge and have already organized team pre-season toning workouts as well as team building activities for the players.

This change may effect each player differently, considering the fact that Coach Powel was Head Coach for a while.  I sat down and spoke with some of the high school’s football members to gather how they were feeling about this sudden change in coaches.

Some players did not have much experience with a switch in team leadership. Joey Coropollese (9th) said, “This is something new I never experienced something like this while playing football.” 

Another freshman player, Zion Malone was unphased by the impending change.  He said, “This isn’t anything new to me; I’ve been through a change like this before, and it didn’t seem to affect me as a player.” 

For most players it seems that a coaching change would not alter their experience with he football team, but when I interviewed Abdoul Diawara he seemed to have a different perspective on the situation.  Diawara shared, “I personally knew Coach Powel — me, and my family– so it’s hard seeing someone you’ve known for a while go.”

This is a really big change for Norristown footballand it remains to be seen how this will change the program.

After a lengthy search lead by the Chest County Intermediate Unit, Joseph Milligan has been named as the new head coach of Norristown Football.  Supporting him is Coach Rodchine Lusane.  Both new coaches work in the Norristown Area School District; Milligan is Business teacher at Eisenhower Science and Technology Academy, and Lusane serves as a security guard at the high school.

Whether fans support the change or not, the school community plans to embrace this change and support our players in the upcoming season.  LET’S GO EAGLES!!