Abele would like to 'pay back' as coach
Middletown High School football coaching candidate's roots run deep in town.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
MIDDLETOWN — Johnson "Chip" Abele is one of five finalists for the Middletown High School head football coaching position.
He took time out recently to answer some questions for The Journal:
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Get latest headlines via RSS feedsQuestion What attracted you to the Middletown job?
Answer Just being a graduate of Middletown High School and looking to pay back some of the opportunities I was given. I'm still close to the community. My parents live there, and I have friends in the area. It's one of those things you dream about returning to your alma mater. I know what they have, and I believe the potential is there.
Q What is it going to take to return the Middies to a consistently-winning program?
A It's going to take a combination of the right players believing in the system, along with the support of the administration in the new coach and his beliefs and the community coming out and supporting the team.
Q What do you think is the biggest challenge of the Middletown job?
A Going in and selling your program. It's been a revolving door for a few years and it's going to take a lot of hard work to get kids to buy into what you are doing. And it's not just about wins and losses. It's about being good people off the field too.
Q What are your strengths as a coach?
A I have a great rapport with the players. I'm also strong in technique and fundamentals. You can scheme all you want, but it comes down to being able to block and tackle.
Q Why did you get into coaching?
A It goes back to my days at Middletown. I'm the person I am today because of the people I came in contact with at Middletown. Of course my parents, but also the coaches and teachers I had influenced me and pointed me in this direction. I've always had a passion for the game and after I was done playing, I chose to stay involved by becoming a coach. I can't imagine doing anything else.
