Teacher Parent Synergy

Michael Drury has been named the next football coach at Southington High School, the Southington Citizen reported Wednesday. Drury will replace D.J. Hernandez, who coached one season before resigning for a position at Brown.

But thats not all. A source close to the family says the 28-year old coach, who was previously serving as defensive coordinator for the Blue Knights, will bring his father, longtime Pomperaug coach Chuck Drury, with him.

Chuck Drury has coached at Pomperaug in two long stints beginning in 1974. His teams won three SWC championships since the leagues inception in 1996 and the Class MM state championship in 2004. Pomperaug also was the Class L runner-up in 2009. He retired as a teacher last year.

Reached Wednesday afternoon, Chuck Drury had no comment.

Michael Drury was an all-state linebacker and wrestler at Bristol Central, where he graduated in 2001. He went on to become a four-year star and Division I-AA All-American at Marist University and graduated in 2005. He had been an assistant at Cromwell, Pomperaug and Oxford before taking the job as defensive coordinator under Hernandez. Drury coached the Knights to a 52-13 victory over East Hartford while Hernandez served a one-game suspension on Nov. 12.

Michael Drury is also an assistant wrestling coach and track coach at Bristol Eastern. He will accept a teaching job in special education.

From the press release out of Southington today:

“The search committee gave very careful consideration concerning the type of individual we want as head of the program,” said Athletic Director Eric Swallow. “We believe Coach Drury will provide consistency, stability and leadership to the Southington program as we build off the success of the 2010 season.”

“Mike has demonstrated that he is a skilled coach and an excellent teacher who not only cares about the development of young men as athletes but also concerned about their development as students and young adults,” said Southington High principal Dr. Martin Semmel.

Update (9:30 p.m.): Southingtons Eric Swallow told the Record-Journal of Meriden that Chuck Drurys potential played no part in the hiring of young Michael. He also wouldnt say for sure if Chuck Drury would be joining the staff.

Drury Mike Drury, that is will be introduced at a press conference this afternoon at Southington High School. Whether Chuck Drury, whose Pomperaug teams have won three-time Southwest Conference championships and one state title on his watch, winds up in Southington blue and white will be determined as his son selects his staff.

I know theres been some conversation, but that hasnt been finalized, Southington athletic director Eric Swallow said Wednesday. Like anything else, the names pop up; but thats something that Mike, when he starts to put his staff together, that could be an option.

The guy has tremendous background and has had great success, Swallow added. If he came over to Southington, he would be a tremendous quality on our staff.

All the same, Swallow said a Drury package deal played no factor in the hiring decision. Mike Drury was the unanimous choice of a search committee that included high school administrators, community members, a current student-athlete and a few former Southington football players.

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