Hannan High SchoolƵs new football coach is tired of the school not fielding a team, fatigued with losing seasons and has had enough of others praising the Wildcats for merely cobbling together enough players to take on an opponent.
ƵIƵm sick and tired of people not knowing where Hannan High School is,Ƶ Cordell said of the school in the rural, picturesque countryside of Upland in Mason County, West Virginia.
Cordell wants to do something about it. The former Marshall University defensive lineman is the only NCAA Division I scholarship athlete Hannan has produced.
Cordell was a good one, seeing considerable playing time with the Thundering Herd before finishing his career in 2002. He made 54 tackles, including 10 for lost yardage, in 2001.
ƵIƵm proud to be from Hannan,Ƶ Cordell said. ƵWe have an opportunity here to let people know who we are.Ƶ
In March, Cordell and his staff of Thomas Miller and Wayne Richardson met with potential players.
Cordell takes over from Kellie Thomas, the first female high school football head coach in West Virginia. Thomas coaches other sports and serves as athletic director.
ƵI care about the football program here,Ƶ Cordell said. ƵIƵm from here. I was bothered Hannan didnƵt have football last season.Ƶ
Cordell said he knows turning the Wildcats into a winner is a challenge. The school has about 150 students.
Hannan hasnƵt won more than two games in a season since going 3-7 in 2011. The Wildcats have won 16 games since 2004.
Hannan has gone winless eight times in the last 20 years and is on a 13-game losing streak dating to Sep 27, 2019, when it defeated Manchester (Ohio) 34-27. The Wildcats havenƵt beaten an in-state opponent since clobbering Hundred 41-0 on Sept. 16, 2017.
ƵItƵs no secret weƵve lost a lot of football games,Ƶ Cordell said. ƵWe have to change that mindset to build a winning program. It might take a while, but the first step is changing the mindset to change the culture.Ƶ
Cordell said improved facilities in the works is a strong step in making positive change. Cordell also pointed to changes in the middle school and youth league programs he hopes pay off in the future.
ƵWeƵve been breaking the huddle with the word Ƶfoundation,Ƶ the most important part of building anything,Ƶ Cordell said. ƵIƵm so proud of our young men. They push each other to get better. The future looks very bright.Ƶ
A look at similar programs gives Cordell hope. South Gallia, just across the Ohio River in Mercerville, Ohio, has 148 students. The Rebels went 7-4 and made the Division VII playoffs last season.
Cordell said summer workouts are reasons for optimism.
ƵWe had a great practice (Monday),Ƶ he said. ƵGreat effort by the guys. IƵm proud of the improvement and dedication.Ƶ
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