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February 17, 2004
Somerville Highschool Hires Ex Patriot, NFL Hall of Famer John Hannah as the Head Football Coach
By Emily Werchadlo, Boston Globe Correspondent, 2/14/2004
SOMERVILLE -- There's another Patriot with his eyes on a Super Bowl.
But for John Hannah, NFL Hall of Famer and former Patriots offensive
lineman, the goal isn't to be in Jacksonville, Fla., for next's year's NFL Super
Bowl. It's to be in an MIAA Super Bowl with Somerville High School.
Hannah was named head coach of the Somerville football team yesterday,
and he has all the confidence in the world that his players can reach that
goal.
"People ask me what my plan is, what I want to accomplish . . . What I want
to instill right now, in everybody's mind here, is that we are not going for a
winning season, we're not going for a district championship, we are winning
all the marbles. We will be champions," Hannah said.
The Highlanders are coming off an 0-11 season, finishing last in the tough
Greater Boston League.
As if this wasn't a tall enough task for the 52-year-old, nine-time Pro Bowler,
Hannah also was named youth development program coordinator for the city
of Somerville.
"He will be examining the programs we have now, where we're lacking, where
we need help, where we need to maximize resources," said Somerville's
mayor, Joseph Curtatone.
Hannah expressed his desire to be more than a coach, and said that he
believed sports were only part of the education package.
"I don't want to limit these boys from being all they can be by putting any
kind of limitation on them for what my expectations are," he said. "I believe if
you expect the most of someone, they'll give the most. If you only expect
them to be so good because they are in high school, that's as good as
they're going to get."
Hannah described his coaching style as creating passion through fun, adding
that it is easy to work hard when the work is enjoyable. Not exactly the
philosophy he was fed as a player under legendary Alabama coach
Paul "Bear" Bryant.
"Coach Bryant ran it by fear, but I have a different mentality," Hannah said
with a smile.
After 13 seasons with the Patriots, Hannah retired in 1986. He explained that
the only way he could deal with the void was to separate himself from the
game.
But when his stepdaughter began attending Governor Dummer Academy in
Byfield, Hannah was asked to become the offensive line coach. His passion
paid off as the Governors went 23-3 over three years and won two New
England championships.
Yesterday, Hannah reminded his players gathered around the podium that no
coach has ever won or lost a game; the players decide the outcome.
"It's only your heart and your desire that wins games," he said.
Junior Billy Fitzgerald is confident Hannah can turn the team around.
"He can bring a lot to the table. He has a lot of experience," Fitzgerald said.
Curtatone has confidence in Hannah as well, and told the crowd, "You're
going to be proud of the coach you have here."
After Hannah quits his financial adviser job at Wachovia Securities ("I wasn't
very good at it. I don't think they're going to miss me much."), he plans to
talk with his players to instill in them the idea that they can be champions.
But can he really turn an 0-11 squad into a team equipped to beat Division 1
champion and GBL rival Everett?
With a look used to intimidate opposing defenders in his playing days,
Hannah replied, "If I didn't, I wouldn't be here."
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