In the past few weeks, the first-ever girls flag football season allowed over 500 girls from 20 high schools in Wake County to have new chances and experiences.

However, the introduction of a different sport also presented fresh prospects for certain young coaches.

Michael Macaluso and Lathan Harris-Johnson are longtime friends, former high school teammates, assistant coaches for the Willow Spring football program, and now coaches of the Willow Spring girls flag football team.

At 21 years old, Macaluso holds the position of head coach, with Harris-Johnson, 22, as his assistant. Both have had the goal of becoming high school football coaches, with the ultimate dream of becoming head coaches in the future.

Macaluso expressed his long-standing desire to become a head coach, stating that when given the opportunity by athletic director Mike Dunphy, he saw it as a chance to add a head coach position to his resume and fulfill his dream.

Dunphy is also satisfied with his choice. He stated that Macaluso and Harris-Johnson approached girls flag football with the same level of dedication as varsity football coach Jason Wilks does for his teams on Friday nights.

Dunphy explained that as an assistant coach, your responsibilities primarily involve coaching, while the head coach takes care of tasks such as coordinating with parents, managing schedules, preparing fields and facilities, handling equipment, collecting uniforms, upkeep and organizing fundraisers and meals.

Dunphy recalls both athletes from their time playing football in high school. They were on the same team at Middle Creek, but while Macaluso finished his education at Mustang High School, Harris-Johnson transferred and ultimately graduated from Panther Creek.

Dunphy recalled that there were dedicated players from Middle Creek and Panther Creek, who joined the team this year and continued to show their passion and excitement for the sport.

During the second week of the girls’ flag football season, Willow Spring participated in matches at Middle Creek, which is also the former playing ground of Macaulso and Harris-Johnson.

“I have informed the female individuals that this is the location where I used to play. It feels a bit strange, but also satisfying, to be here at Middle Creek and standing on the coach’s side, exchanging greetings with the coach,” shared Macaluso.

Finding high school coaches — in all sports — is becoming more difficult by the year. There are instances where athletic directors have to step in and coach a sport, or someone who coaches one sport steps up to coach another sport for the first time.

Dunphy recognizes the value of having committed and enthusiastic coaches who are only 21 or 22 years old for the Willow Spring sports program. Encouraging the development of young coaches will guarantee the presence of experienced individuals who can lead programs in the years to come.

According to Dunphy, individuals are beginning to recognize that the coaching profession is highly fulfilling and allows for a strong personal connection to sports. He believes that having a clear career goal in this field from a young age can be beneficial, and that he and his team can provide guidance in achieving that goal. Dunphy also acknowledges that being a head football coach is distinct from coaching flag football, but the role of a coach remains the same regardless of the sport.

Macaluso and Harris-Johnson share a passion for football and a desire to coach at the high school level, but their goals extend beyond the sport.

Macaluso stated, “I truly enjoy witnessing individuals progress, and I’m not referring to their physical growth, but rather their personal development.” He continued, “These young women did not have experience playing football in their childhood … on our first day, only 13 girls showed up, and we were already running 10-yard hitches and slants. Now, I can simply say ‘stop’ and they know exactly what to do, like running a hitch route.”

Harris-Johnson shares that his favorite aspect of coaching is not related to football.

“I value the connection with the children. It’s a bond that I never experienced in my own childhood. I appreciate having that bond with the kids and feel like a mentor to them. That is a significant aspect for me,” expressed Harris-Johnson.

Dunphy stated that he feels the background of Macaluso and Harris-Johnson at Middle Creek and Panther Creek heavily influences their enthusiasm for coaching at the high school level.

“At some point during their development in the world of sports and football, someone deeply impacted them, providing emotional support and belief in their abilities to the extent that they chose this as their desired path,” Dunphy stated.

The flag football season in Wake County came to an end last weekend, but the Willow Spring coaches expect the sport to continue to grow, and they think it’ll be even better next year.

Macaluso believes that the outcome has exceeded everyone’s expectations and that it will become a legitimate aspect in the upcoming season.

Source: highschoolot.com