The Revere Varsity football team has welcomed an experienced new coach who plans to lead the team to success in the upcoming years.

James Boyeas accepted his position as head coach for the football team this January. Boyeas started playing football in fifth grade, continuing his career throughout his four years at Heidelberg College. Beyond college, he played one year of football in the Continental Indoor Football League. Boyeas starts his twelfth year of coaching this year. He spent his first nine years coaching in the collegiate level at Valley City State University, Grand Valley State University, Gettysburg College, and Lake Erie College. In 2016, he coached at Benedictine High School, and in 2017 he was the offensive coordinator at Strongsville High School. His first meeting with the team occured on January 22; the next day, he began training with the boys.

Boyeas explained what makes him a good coach, learning from his extensive experience in the sport.

“I think that I have learned something different from each coach [that I worked with] that I have incorporated in my coaching techniques. Overall, I believe that I have a lot of knowledge about the game schematically, but what makes me a good coach is that I bring a lot of enthusiasm and passion every day. I pride myself on my ability to connect with the athletes and earn their trust. That allows me to coach the players hard and be demanding of them,” Boyeas said.

Athletic Director Tom McKinnon agreed, saying that Boyeas was a great candidate for the position because he brings an energy and structure that will benefit the team.

“I think there are a lot of different things that we looked at–number one was the college experience. He’s already started the off-season conditioning program and there’s a lot of positive energy going around. The system he’s going to bring in [will] match our personnel well; I really believe the college experience he has will be an asset in a tough league,” McKinnon said.

Boyeas elaborated on his conditioning program and the expectations he has for the players.

“It is absolutely critical to promote a team environment and instill toughness and a competitive drive within the athletes. We will stress explosiveness that will be generated from ground based power, functional flexibility, linear speed, the ability to start and stop, and change direction,” Boyeas said.

Boyeas expressed his enthusiasm for the season, saying that about 30 athletes are already working with him on weekdays.

“It has become very clear that those showing up are invested in the program and are motivated to succeed.  Right now, some of the guys are uncomfortable, which is a good thing–being uncomfortable means that there is a change occurring. The change within the expectations and culture of the program will lead to more success. We aren’t afraid to talk about winning, what it takes to win and the expectation to play more than 10 games this year,” Boyeas said.

Boyeas also spoke on what he enjoys about coaching and why he values his job.

“As a coach, [I] have a large impact on the lives of the individuals [that I] have the opportunity to coach, and I take that very seriously.  I take pride in preparing the team to execute a game-plan and play assignment sound football while utilizing the techniques that have been implemented,” Boyeas said.

Junior Carter Boggs talked about his first impressions of the coach and what he thinks about the training process so far.

“Coach Boyeas’ enthusiasm is very apparent and new to us. Every lifting complex is guaranteed to have a lot of excitement. Each break out of the huddle is loud and booming. He has a winning mentality and is already deeply devoted to turning the program around as a whole,” Boggs said.

July 30 will mark the official start to the 2018 football season.