Eastbayri.com

EAST BAY — The speculation can officially end. Ron Silva will not be back as the Mt. Hope High School football coach. Silva formally submitted his resignation papers recently, bringing his five-year tenure as the Huskies’ frontman to a close.

Silva said it was a difficult decision, but was likely for the best for all involved.

“I saw the writing on the wall,” said Silva, who emerged from his annual post-season meeting with administrators believing it was likely time to move on.

“I would have liked to have gone through the (hiring) process again, but it wasn’t going to happen,” he continued. “You can’t keep everyone happy, but for me it’s always been about the kids. I didn’t want them to have to go through it. I figured it was best for me to leave this way and let the school go in another direction.”

Silva departs Mt. Hope with an overall career record of 22-19 in Division II league games. He led the Huskies to the playoffs in four of his five seasons, including a berth in the 2009 Super Bowl where the locals lost to Woonsocket, 19-0. The Huskies defeated Cranston East, 7-2, and South Kingstown, 13-12, in their other playoff games that season.

“That year was special,” Silva said of the ‘09 campaign. “Beating South Kingstown was the highlight because we were such underdogs going into that game. And then playing Woonsocket tough, but I kind of feel like the Patriots do. I don’t think I’ve ever watched the tape of that game. It’s tough to get to the Super Bowl and lose.

“But every year there’s highlights, whether it's a kid who had a particularly good season or your team comes together like it did for us this year (in a win) against St. Raphael. Every class of kids is special. I have plenty of good memories. The bottom line was just about all of the kids were very coachable and supportive of what we tried to do.”

Away from the field, Silva said he’s most proud of the relationships he built with the players and some of the off-season conditioning programs he implemented during his time at the school.

Having departed the Huskies, Silva plans on coaching again. He’s not sure when and where, but he hopes to get another chance to run a program.

“I want to coach again. I’ve had plenty of offers, but I feel like I’m a head coach at this point,” Silva said, who added he's fielded offers to be an assistant at both the high school and college levels. “I’d like to get a program that I can help rebuild. But right now I’m going to take things slow and see what comes around.”

While not leaving completely by his own volition and admitting things did not go as smoothly as he would have liked especially the last couple of seasons, Silva said he bears no ill feelings about his departure.

“I’ve received a lot of support from the players and parents and members of the coaching community have reached out to me, which I really do appreciate,” Silva added. “We had some very good years at Mt. Hope.”

Whalen's future in jeopardy

While Silva opted not to return his hat to the ring, Seekonk High School head football coach Jack Whalen wants to remain on the Warriors’ sideline though that may not be feasible after the popular Warren native was recently arrested twice for moving violations.

The 56-year-old now Dighton, Mass. resident was charged with DUI then for driving without a license in the span of just a few weeks. Whalen’s arrests became public over the last seven days, making his status at Seekonk tenuous at best.

A contrite Whalen said in a phone conversation earlier this week he would like to remain as the Warriors’ coach, but fears administrators will not allow that to happen. Whalen, in fact, seemed resigned to losing the post.

Early conjecture in town centered around former Mt. Hope head coach and current Whalen assistant T.J. DelSanto as possibly taking over the Seekonk job. It appears as though DelSanto would be interested in taking over. DelSanto said as much in a recent e-mail exchange about this article.

Gorham back at Barrington

Long-time East Providence High School coach Sandy Gorham is making a move across the border to Barrington where he returns to the head coaching position for softball he held briefly back in the early 2000s.

Gorham, known best as the Townies legendary football coach, has been hired to replace Holly Morris, who is moving on to an assistant post at Johnson & Wales University in Providence. Gorham coached Eagles’ softball for two seasons before leaving when the health problems of his son Ryan intensified.

“As a program we’re quite pleased to have Sandy back,” said Barrington athletic director George Finn. “He’s excited and ready to go, and I know the girls are anxious to meet him and get the season started. His knowledge of Barrington High School, having coached here before and now living in the town just made him a great fit.”

Gorham also had a successful run as the BHS football coach back in the 1980s before his career took off in the 90s as coach of his alma mater. His Townies have made the playoffs 14 times in 16 years, made seven championship game appearances and have won five Division I state Super Bowl titles.

Gorham’s departure leaves a hole in the East Providence coaching staff. He has been the boys’ tennis coach the last several springs. Gorham, a phys ed teacher at the school, also remains as the Townies’ swim coach during the winter.