Zach Steele follows father's path along Herkimer sideline

HERKIMER - Zach Steele has spent falls on the Herkimer Magicians' sideline almost half his life. This fall he assumes a new role there as the varsity football coach, following in the footsteps of his father who coached him and his brother a decade ago.

Steele, a ninth-grade history teacher at his alma mater, was appointed to coach the Magicians in July, replacing Mike Jory as the fourth coach since his father, Alan Steele, stepped away from the team.

Zach Steele, who also coaches varsity baseball in the spring and bowling in the winter, had served as an assistant coach under Jory for three years and Jason Alexander before that, dating back to has senior year at what is now Utica University where he played collegiately.

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"It's a sport I've always played (and) it's always been a passion of mine," Steele said. "My dad was a coach. It was a goal of mine to coach with him if I had the chance."

While his father won't formally be part of the staff, he remains a resource for the new coach.

"When I played for him, we made it a point to separate football and family," Steele said. "When practice was over, I'm his son, he's my dad. … It's really nice to have him when I have a question. I can call and five minutes later I have an answer."

The new coach will not be lacking for familiar faces on the sideline. Dan Appley, Steele's high school classmate and Herkimer's wrestling coach, Matt Watkins and Tyler Steele, Zach's younger brother, also return from last fall's coaching staff along with Mitchell Werenczak, Andrew Payne and Chris DePaolo, formerly an assistant under Alan Steele. Watkins and DePaolo were assistants while Steele was playing in high school.

Herkimer finished 2-7 in Class D last year, the Magicians' third consecutive two-win season following the coronavirus pandemic. The varsity team last had a winning record in 2019 and last won a Section III title in 2013; the Magicians also won a title in Class C in 2011 under Steele's father.

The team's 2024 season kicks off with a Week Zero game on the road at neighboring Little Falls Sept. 6, and the Magicians play their home and Class D opener the following week against Mt. Markham. Herkimer also has home games scheduled against Dolgeville, Beaver River and Hannibal.

Herkimer scrimmages at Homer High School on Aug. 31.

This article originally appeared on Times Telegram: Zach Steele follows father's path along Herkimer sideline