Mike Duprey
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Pioneer football coach Mike Duprey retires after 30 years of coaching
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on December 03, 2011 8:37 PM, updated August 23, 2013 9:53 AM
on December 03, 2011 8:37 PM, updated August 23, 2013 9:53 AM
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What a way to end a coaching career.
Pioneer football coach Mike Duprey went out on top on Saturday, as his Panthers defeated McCann Tech 14-8 to win the Division IV Super Bowl.
“It’s huge,” said Duprey of winning the Super Bowl. “To come down here and beat a team like McCann…I feel lucky to get out of here.”
After 30 years of coaching, Saturday was the last game for Duprey.
“Hell of a way to go out,” Duprey said. “It’s the best. How can you ask for anything better than to win the Super Bowl in your last game?”
Duprey retires with a record of 170-118-4 in 23 years at Greenfield and seven years at Pioneer.
In 2005, he returned to Pioneer and restarted the football program which had been disbanded in 1980.
The first four years at Pioneer were rough, with the team going 8-29. However, since 2009 the Panthers have gone 30-8 including three Super Bowl games and two Tri-County League titles.
“We had 22 guys and we won one game,” said Duprey of his 2005 Pioneer team. “Who would have thought that in seven years we would be in three Super Bowls? To make a decision like that happen and be able to go out like this is fantastic.”
Saturday marked the sixth Super Bowl game Duprey has coached in. At Greenfield he lost all three Super Bowls the Green Wave played, in 1989, 1995 and 2004. After losing to Ware 18-4 in 2009 and Easthampton 26-0 in 2010, Duprey’s Pioneer team finally found the winning recipe in 2011 against McCann.
“It’s not just last game for him but for all of them,” said Pioneer running back Curtis Weaver of the coaches. “It was definitely important to come out here and win it for them.”
Duprey might be retiring from coaching football, but he is not retiring from Pioneer.
“I’m the assistant principal and those two jobs don’t go too well together,” Duprey said. “I’m not able to do the job I need to do.”
By winning the Division IV Super Bowl, the Pioneer players lived up to their team motto of “one team, one dream” and helped Duprey retire on top.
“A lot of the players said they did it for me, but I wanted them to do it for themselves,” Duprey said. “I really appreciate all of my guys and I just love them all.”
Pioneer football coach Mike Duprey went out on top on Saturday, as his Panthers defeated McCann Tech 14-8 to win the Division IV Super Bowl.
“It’s huge,” said Duprey of winning the Super Bowl. “To come down here and beat a team like McCann…I feel lucky to get out of here.”
After 30 years of coaching, Saturday was the last game for Duprey.
“Hell of a way to go out,” Duprey said. “It’s the best. How can you ask for anything better than to win the Super Bowl in your last game?”
Duprey retires with a record of 170-118-4 in 23 years at Greenfield and seven years at Pioneer.
In 2005, he returned to Pioneer and restarted the football program which had been disbanded in 1980.
The first four years at Pioneer were rough, with the team going 8-29. However, since 2009 the Panthers have gone 30-8 including three Super Bowl games and two Tri-County League titles.
“We had 22 guys and we won one game,” said Duprey of his 2005 Pioneer team. “Who would have thought that in seven years we would be in three Super Bowls? To make a decision like that happen and be able to go out like this is fantastic.”
Saturday marked the sixth Super Bowl game Duprey has coached in. At Greenfield he lost all three Super Bowls the Green Wave played, in 1989, 1995 and 2004. After losing to Ware 18-4 in 2009 and Easthampton 26-0 in 2010, Duprey’s Pioneer team finally found the winning recipe in 2011 against McCann.
“It’s not just last game for him but for all of them,” said Pioneer running back Curtis Weaver of the coaches. “It was definitely important to come out here and win it for them.”
Duprey might be retiring from coaching football, but he is not retiring from Pioneer.
“I’m the assistant principal and those two jobs don’t go too well together,” Duprey said. “I’m not able to do the job I need to do.”
By winning the Division IV Super Bowl, the Pioneer players lived up to their team motto of “one team, one dream” and helped Duprey retire on top.
“A lot of the players said they did it for me, but I wanted them to do it for themselves,” Duprey said. “I really appreciate all of my guys and I just love them all.”
How true these statements are. The kids love this man , on and off the field . They look to him for guidance and support , and sometimes just to chat. To lose this man is a loss for PVRS and the kids and teachers combined.
Who are these guys? The Pioneer Valley Regional High School football team is 6-1 and sitting atop the Division IV power rankings. Excuse us? “This year, the kids have finally believed that we had the talent to win.,” Pioneer coach Mike Duprey said. “The kids know that we can be the real deal, that we can play football with anyone.” Pioneer had gone 8-28 since it resumed a varsity schedule in 2005, when it resurrected a program that had disbanded in 1980. “For a few years, we were the new program, we weren’t in a league, we only had 30 kids ...” Duprey said. “Pioneer also started its field hockey program the same year and now they are playing well and also in first place. They have used the ‘worst to first’ slogan and it’s been the same for us. The school is buzzing about it.” Pioneer plays the first of three straight road games Friday night against Pathfinder (1-6, 1-3). The Panthers own a 4-0 Tri-County League record, a half game ahead of Ware (6-1, 4-1) and one game up on Palmer (4-3, 3-1). The Panthers defeated both teams in successive weeks earlier this month. For all the polish of its 6-1 record, it was a Week 2 loss that first proved to Duprey that the 2009 season may bring something special. “No one thought we had a shot against Greenfield,” Duprey said of a 22-20 loss. “We worked real hard and just came up short. Then we turned around and beat Ware, which was ranked No. 1. And then Ware beat Greenfield. That’s when we said, ‘Hey, we’re a good football team.’ Then we beat Ware and Palmer in back-to back weeks.” Duprey gave credit to his coaching staff and the offensive line as to keys to success. “I have coaches here, with about 120 years of experience,” Duprey said. “I can’t tell you how fortunate I am, to have them working with the kids every day.” Tom Gaffigan is the defensive coordinator, Glenn Wilson coaches the line and Dick Howe works with the secondary and helps with defense. Duprey calls the offensive plays. Juniors William Randall (guard) and Jeremy Shippa (tackle) anchor the line as 240-pounders on the strong side. “They are opening holes and giving us time to throw the ball,” Duprey said. “They have been here for four years, and they are only juniors.” “Shane Deming (600 yards rushing) has been great at running back and (quarterback) Pat Viencek has four kids out there who can catch the ball,” Duprey said. Pioneer went 2-12 in its first two seasons of league play, but Duprey sensed better days were ahead at the end of last season. “You could see that we were this close, if you held your thumb and (index) finger a half inch apart,” Duprey said. “We had 44 kids come out. A couple of years ago, these same kids were just getting run over by teams. Now they’re finding that they are doing it to others.” Pioneer has won four home games this season, after winning three in Northfield during its first four seasons. With four teams qualifying for the Division IV playoffs, Pioneer appears in good shape as its final four opponents have a combined record of 7-19. “As a coach, I am not going to boast about anything after Week 6 or Week 7,” Duprey said. “We’ll talk about it after Thanksgiving.”
He showed these kids he believed in them and in turn they believed in themselves . His teachings and support of ALL children makes him what he is and so special to so many .
How can we as a school, just let this man walk away without a fight? He was always available when a student, teacher or parent needed him, Now he needs us.
Write to the editor of the Recorder , Masslive, address your feelings and concerns to the School Committee, who can step in and help save our school from this loss. Mike Duprey needs OUR support now , and this just isn't about him, its about the school and teachers, subs, aides , you ALL need to also take a stand for what is right and you know is right .
Do not stay silent , because I promise you down the road , and not far away , you will wish you had taken this stand.
SAVE THE DUP AND PVRS
Post it, share it on facebook , twitter, where ever you can and lets take a stand together.
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DeleteThis is unbelievable to have Mike Duprey wanting to resign. What is going on in this school? Why is the School Committee not getting involved and asking questions? What the hell did we elect them to do , if they are not controlling the situation going on at this school and with these teachers and students. Buy out her contract why we still have a school.
ReplyDeleteI just read this and thought wow not Mr Duprey. Sad day for Pioneer .
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