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St. Mary's tabs Gilbert as new football coach
as new football coach
The St. Mary's of Lancaster varsity high school football program recently announced the hiring of Dennis Gilbert as the third Lancers head coach in the last three years. Gilbert, who has spent much of his life as a player or coach at St. Joe's, is looking to stabilize the Catholic League program.
Gilbert, 41, is taking over for departed Kraig Kurzanski, who recently took a job coaching football in the Williamsville School District. Gilbert coached youth football last year and was the head coach of the St. Joe's Collegiate Institute junior varsity football for 18 years. His J.V. teams won a whopping 16 Large School Division titles.
He has assembled a coaching staff of Mark Kelso (former Buffalo Bills safety) and Bobby Dickerson, who are returning from last season, as well as Jimmy Lidner, Tony and Jimmy Formato and Frank Kupka.
Gilbert described St. Mary's as a close-knit environment.
"St. Mary's has always been a quality program," Gilbert told the Times by phone Tuesday. "Being a small school, its community rallies behind the team. The neatest thing I've seen in my short time here is the kids' passion for both athletics and academics at the school."
Gilbert added that several athletes have been conditioning in the school's weight room since December, even though the football team lacked a coach. He said he hopes the Lancers' football program continues to grow and stated he would like to eventually install a modified team.
A big proponent of academics and religion, Gilbert added that every player on the squad will participate in a two- or three-day-per-week study session after school before practice. Players will also be able to visit a chapel for spiritual guidance on game days.
"Discipline will be a major impetus for success," said Gilbert, who resides in Buffalo. "I'm looking to provide some stability and consistency to the program. I've gotten a warm, fuzzy feeling so far being at the school."
St. Mary's has advanced to the Monsignor Martin Small School championship at Ralph Wilson Stadium the last five seasons.
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