Devon Prep Gets First Ever Middle School Golf Program

DEVON, PA – Devon Preparatory School is seeing some changes to its athletics department, as it is launching a new golf program and appointed new coaches for several varsity sports.

The school announced the hiring of new varsity soccer, golf, and cross country head coaches, as well as the debut of its first ever middle school golf program.

The new coaches are:

• Brian McKinney of Swarthmore – varsity soccer;
• Brian Rogers of Wayne – varsity golf;
• Matthew Dimaio of Drexel Hill – varsity cross country.

And King of Prussia's Shawn Wheeler will lead the school's first ever middle school golf team.

McKinney is a 1995 Devon Prep grad and recently served as coach of the eighth grade boys’ soccer team in the Ridley Township School District and head coach of Nether United Soccer Club.

He also served as the varsity head coach of Marple Newtown High School where he was named Central League Coach of the Year in 2008. In addition he has served as assistant coach of the men’s varsity soccer team at Ursinus College as well as J.V. head coach at Malvern Prep.

"Devon Prep is very excited to welcome Brian back to our soccer program,"Jason Fisher, Devon Prep Athletic Director, said. "We are extremely fortunate to have a coach with the combination of playing and coaching experience that Brian brings to Devon."

McKinney says he’s excited to coach at his alma mater and hopes to provide a positive, competitive soccer experience at a school with a strong sense of community and commitment to excellence.

“I loved my time at the school and felt the opportunity to coach there was too good to pass up,” McKinney said. “My main goal is to build a soccer culture, so the team feels that no matter what happens on the field, we are part of something special.

McKinney succeeds Mr. Timothy McNally who stepped down after the 2016 season.

Rogers, an accomplished golf coach and former PGA golf professional, served as the head golf coach at Temple University and Gwynedd Mercy Academy as well as director of tournaments and Marketing of TL Golf Services in Philadelphia. He has also held positions with several professional golf organizations.

In addition Rogers has competed in over 200 professional tournaments and pro-am events. He holds a degree in Environmental Science from Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.

“I plan to utilize my extensive experience and contacts in the golf industry to enhance and improve Devon’s golf program,” Rogers said. “I am committed to developing a top-notch well-rounded program of exceptional student-athletes.”

Rogers replaces long time Golf Coach Mr. Frank Casey who passed away in June after a brief illness.

Dimaio, Devon Prep Class of 2010, most recently served as coach of Devon Prep’s first middle school track and cross country Teams. He has been an integral part of the implementation of those two new middle school sports and led the teams to successful seasons. He is a graduate of the University of Scranton, where he ran both cross country and track, and Villanova University’s School of Law.

“I am grateful and honored that the athletic department has given me this opportunity,” Dimaio said. “My initial goal for the team will be to pick up where Coach Evans left off and to build off of the positive work he did with the program. With the exception of some returning seniors, we have a young team. Much of my approach this season will involve teaching the young men on the team the skills involved in running an intelligent and courageous race from start to finish. I am confident the results will take care of themselves.”

Dimaio replaces Mr. Dave Evans ’09 who has coached the Cross Country Team for several years.

Wheeler has been involved with Devon Prep Athletics for several years having coached the freshman basketball team since 2015. His basketball background includes playing at Interboro High School where he was a three year varsity player and a team captain for two of those years.

After graduating from Interboro, Wheeler attended the University of the Sciences where he played golf as well as basketball. Since graduating from the University of the Sciences, Wheeler has been involved with many different levels of coaching, including middle school and high school. In addition to Devon Prep he also serves as the Girls AAU Coordinator for East Coast Power Basketball.

Pictured above is new varsity soccer coach Brian McKinney

Image courtesy of Devon Preparatory School