Wolverines' Football Team Gets a New Leader

A new chapter has begun in Westwood High School’s football history, as the Wolverines met with their new head coach, Ed Mantie, this week.

Filling the shoes of former Head Coach , who stepped down in February, Mantie was introduced to the Fall 2011 squad in a meeting Monday night.

And the players needn't worry about Mantie's experties with the sport. He played high school football in Danbury, Connecticut as a Quarterback, and was a star and played at Boston University on a scholarship.

During Mantie's freshman year at BU, the Terriers needed a wide receiver, and he was more than up for the job. By the time he was a senior in 1995, Mantie was an All American and Captain for the team.

In his years following college, Mantie has been a strength and conditioning coach, and for the past five years he was the offensive coordinator at Weston High School, where he is currently a physical education instructor. The team went 10-1 and won its Thanksgiving 2010 game against Wayland.

Last season, under Hallion, the Wolverines went 7-4 in a very up-and-down season. Westwood won the first six of seven games, but went on a downward slide, losing three out of the last four.

For 2011, Mantie brings the mentality of a strength and conditioning coach to the team, and said that he will be on top of this with his team.

He explained that the players this week that the strongest and the fastest are usually the ones who come out on top, and said that the teams that train the hardest in the offseason and put the most time in the weight room are the teams that make it far.

“There is no substitute for strength and no excuse for not having it,” said Mantie. “We will be strong at the end of the season.”

However, another aspect that is integral in winning is having a strong mind, he added - players need to trust him and trust each other, and most of all, believe that they can do anything. Mantie noted that players need to do remain focused and not point fingers.

“Our message is to do your job and have trust in your teammates,” Mantie said.

No coaching staff has been set by Mantie, but he expects to bring one coach with him from Weston. He will also be interviewing for other coaching positions, and will be speaking with the current coaches. He expects the full coaching staff to be in place by May.

Mantie explained to the Wolverines this week what his job would be over the next few months, and said that he would be making an effort to get to know the team.

This year’s squad could be huge with some who have played in eighth grade as well, added Mantie, who told the players he will find a top notch staff and explained his philosophies that he believes will lead them to victory. His goal is to win more games than last year.

The biggest challenge leading into the Fall 2011 season, Mantie said, is getting everyone on the same page. He said that he needs to gain the respect of his players and have them believing that he can lead the team. That is a challenge for any new coach, he acknowledged, but he believes that if they can be focused, the team can win.

“They’ve got a coach that will work his tail off, be passionate and do what he can to gain respect and trust,” said Mantie.

Athletic Director Karl Fogel, meanwhile, is more than pleased with the hiring of his new football coach, noting that he is a dynamic coach with an imaginative and creative offensive scheme.

“We were lucky to get him and hope he will be at Westwood for many years to come,” said Fogel.

Mantie said that he is in the process of getting film to assess the talent that he has on the team. He will also be assessing other teams through film.

Even without film, Mantie knows that teams like Medway and Holliston are always tough, and this year, he said that he wants the team to be ready for anyone.

Because he is just starting new as the team's head coach, Mantie's goal means training and preparation. That goes for himself, and the Wolverine players.

“Games are won and lost at bottom of a squat rack,” said Mantie. “Job number one is to get them bigger, faster and stronger.”