ANDOVER — Just days after Ken Maglio was let go as head football and baseball coach, Andover announced the hiring of an interim football coach, and an open search for all football assistant coaching positions.
"We felt like we had to move quickly considering how close we are to the season (practice begins in six weeks)," said Andover athletic director Chris Bergeron.
On Wednesday, it was announced that John Rex would he hired as Maglio's football replacement on an interim basis. Rex spent the last five years as a freshman coach for the Golden Warriors, and is a gym teacher at the Bancroft Elementary School in Andover.
"(Bergeron) called me up at the Bancroft on Monday and asked if we could meet," said the 44-year-old Rex. "I checked with my wife, then I promised Chris I would be someone that would represent the school well, and leave no stone unturned."
It will be the first head coaching position for Rex. He played football at North Reading (1979-82) and Bridgewater State. He then worked as a freshman coach and varsity assistant at North Andover (1987-88) and as a graduate assistant at Springfield while he was studying for his master's degree.
He also spent four years (1990-94) as an assistant basketball coach at Methuen, and had one-year stints coaching track at North Andover and North Reading. He spent 13 years working in sales.
"John is a high-character person," said Bergeron. "He has familiarity with the players and he's a teacher in the district. I have plenty of confidence in him."
Rex was quick to compliment the coach he is replacing.
"Back in 2004, I got a call from Ken Maglio," said Rex. "He asked me if I wanted to coach, and I am thrilled I accepted the offer. I don't like the way this happened, and it is out of my hands. I have always been a big Ken fan, and he and I are fine."
Maglio continued to express his disappointment over his dismissal from the jobs. But he has been uplifted from the support he has received from the Andover community.
"The past week I have learned I have a lot of friends," said an emotional Maglio, who was head coach for 13 years, posting a 65-68-2 record. "I have old players and current players wishing me well. I can walk away with my head held high, feeling like I have made a positive influence.
"My only problem is, I still want a reason. I have yet to hear one, and maybe I never will."
One player that voiced his support of Maglio was former Warriors quarterback Geoff Stevens, who passed for 1,098 yards as a senior in 2004.
"I was in complete shock," said Stevens, whose brother Tripp was a starting linebacker for the Warriors. "We were always competitive, but it isn't all about the wins and losses with coach Maglio. He cares about the team and did the behind-the-scenes things. I think it's ludicrous the way the new AD handled it."
It was also announced that the school would conduct an open search for Rex's coaching staff.
"All of the coaching positions are going to be opened up for interviews," said Bergeron. "(Maglio's staff) has been given the opportunity to interview. There have been some issues within the staff, and I thought it was necessary to go outside the current staff to move the program forward."
Offensive coordinator Joe Marinaro and quarterbacks coach Pat Finn did not return multiple messages seeking comment. Wide receivers coach Glenn Verrette declined to comment when reached.
One person that did comment was Alec Yount (AHS '06), a starting offensive lineman for the Golden Warriors.
"It is ridiculous," said Yount, whose father was on Maglio's staff the last five years. "How do you just fire someone that has been involved in Andover sports for so long? There were times he drove me crazy, but you realize he really loved being there. He loved the players and wanted to see everyone do well. And coach Marinaro knows more about football than anyone I have ever met.
"Most coaches could care less about you. I realized that when I went to play in college (at Bucknell). You are just a means to an end. They don't care about your grades as long as you can play. Andover had a staff of coaches that cared, and they threw it away."
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