Coach Moran: Selflessness on Field Secret to 2011 Eagles' Success

Dobbs Ferry football coach Jim Moran said he didn't need a magic wand or secret incantation to turn the 2011 Eagles into Class C state champions.

"Having a large group of [11] seniors was key," he said. "The experience makes a huge difference."

But talent and experience alone won't guarantee glory in Syracuse.

"I think our success also had a lot to do with the players' attitudes," he said. "They are all selfless about the game. They're all in it for the team—not personal glory or fame."

This was Coach Moran's first season in Dobbs Ferry. A first-grade teacher in New Rochelle, Moran has also coached football at Archbishop Stepinac High School, Horace Mann and Rye Country Day School. Previously, he played football for Archbishop Stepinac and SUNY Albany.

Despite Dobbs Ferry's reputation as a venerable force in the high school football world, Moran said he didn't feel tremendous pressure from the community when he took over as head coach.

"I think the coaches and players put the pressure on ourselves," he said. "It comes more from within."

From the very beginning of this season, Moran said he knew his 2011 Eagles had the potential to do great things.

"There are some really talented kids on the team," he said. "But there's also a lot to be said for their camaraderie. Many of them have been playing together since they were in third grade; they're like brothers."

And before every game, he said, the team got together for dinner—alternating between Candlelight Inn in Scarsdale and

"I think these traditions—their bonding—really makes a difference."

Yea, okay, and it doesn't hurt to be quick and strong as well—

"The team participated in a speed camp during the summer and started lifting weights early," he said. "They're all very motivated."

In terms of strategy, Moran says he likes to keep it simple.

"Rather than practice 50 plays and be mediocre at all of them, we focused on 10 and doing them really well," he said. "I find that strategy pays off."

Even without his core 11 seniors next year, Moran is confident his 2012 Eagles will also dominate on the field.

"I absolutely think the under-classmen learned from the seniors' example this year," he said. "We don't want this win to be a one-time thing; I'm trying to bring back the tradition."

In fact, Moran said, now that the team is familiar with his training regimen, he thinks things will go even more smoothly next year.

"I won't have to coach from scratch," he said.

Though most of the players will move right from football to winter sports, Moran said he needs a month to decompress.

"Winning last weekend felt like such a relief," he said. "Between now and Christmas break, I want to just get away from football. I won't think about it. I won't even watch it."

But come January...