ABINGTON -- When Abington High football head coach Ed Reilly stepped onto the field for the team’s first practices this season, things felt a bit strange.
For the first time in 25 years, he wasn’t standing next to Jim Kelliher on the sideline.
After 50 years at the helm of the program, the legendary coach retired following the 2023 season, paving the way for Reilly to take over the program after being Kelliher’s right-hand-man for half of his tenure at Abington.
“It’s definitely a different vibe, a different feel for me personally,” Reilly said. “He’s one of my good friends. I learned so much from him and I’m obviously going to take a lot of things that I’m going to do from him and continue so many of the things he’s done because it’s working.”
The program experienced an abundance of success under Kelliher so Reilly will continue to integrate much of his philosophy into the team.
“There will be some tweaks here and there I’m sure. But he’s what I know too, and it worked for us for the longest time and I don’t want to change up too much,” Reilly said.
He added that one of the biggest things that Kelliher taught to the kids was to “always be a gentleman,” something that he wants to keep going.
“That’s who he was. He was just a class guy,” Reilly said. “I hope I can continue what he’s done, coaching me, coaching my boys, coaching all these thousands of kids. He’s just an amazing guy.”
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The connection between the two runs even deeper than their coaching experience together.
When Reilly was attending Abington High, Kelliher was his coach. Going even further back, Reilly’s father coached Kelliher when he was in high school.
“I was around when his son, Shane, came through. Then he coached my three sons," said Reillt. "It’s been really a great experience for all of us.”
Reilly’s oldest son, Eddie, is a junior at Clemson University. His other two sons, Jack and Michael, are still in the program. Jack is entering his sophomore year and Michael will be the starting quarterback this season.
Getting to coach his two sons is something that Reilly wants to cherish.
“I’m trying to do a better job of staying in the moment,” Reilly said. “Having them both out here every day, it’s one of those things where I’m not getting any younger and they’re certainly getting older. I don’t know how many more years I’m going to have them in my house.”
Michael said that between his dad and his brothers, it’s football 24/7 in the Reilly household, joking that his sister can’t stand it. He added that having his dad as a coach, he can pick his brain anytime, anywhere.
“It’s great," said Michael Reilly. "Any question I want to ask, he’ll answer it anytime, at the dinner table, at the field. It’s nice to have.”
The father and son trio have a tough task ahead of them in the first week of the season: An away game at back-to-back Div. 4 state champion Duxbury, a team that is two divisions higher than Abington.
“We have nothing but respect for them. We know what type of program they are. It’ll be a test for us,” Ed Reilly said. “It’s a challenge and we’re not going to back down.”
Young but talented
The team graduated a number of seniors following the 2023 season. Though the team is relatively young this year, many underclassmen come into this fall with prior experience on varsity.
“We have a lot of underclassmen who are going to be starting and getting reps on varsity,” said senior lineman Jonothan Sharp. “I have a lot of confidence in their abilities.”
Reilly said that the offensive line will be virtually brand new, though returners such as Sharp and senior lineman Jake McSharry will provide some veteran experience upfront.
Reilly said it is “a bit nerve-racking” having a young line, especially going into a tough Week 1 matchup against Duxbury. However, coupled with a senior quarterback and a deep running back room that has varsity experience, the team has the talent and leadership to compete.
“We’re a work in progress for sure, but I’m certainly optimistic. Overall it’s a great group of kids. We’re having fun with them. I think all the coaches would say the same.”
Names to know:
Michael Reilly, senior quarterback: Reilly is entering his third season as the starting quarterback for the Green Wave.
Ryan LaRosa, senior lineman: LaRosa is a returning two-year starter on both the offensive and defensive lines.
Jonothan Sharp, lineman: Sharp will be another veteran presence on a young offensive line this season, also contributing on the defensive line. Reilly said he has “a great work ethic.”
Adam Libby, senior defensive back and running back : One of the returning cornerstones of Abington’s secondary, Reilly expects Libby to have a bigger role in the offense as a tailback.
Jake McSharry, senior lineman: “provides size on both OL and DL,” Reilly said.
Ryan Solimini, defensive back and running back
Mason Nash, running back and linebacker: A returning player, Nash suffered an ACL tear in week 4 last season, but will have a big impact this year when healthy. “As tough as they come,” Reilly said.
Jake Tikonoff, junior middle linebacker
Kris Patterson, junior defensive end: “Key two way player as an end and OLB,” Reilly said.
Nazzir Paulding, sophomore running back
This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Passing of the torch: Abington football head coach begins first season succeeding a legend
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