Schools

Canton High Football Coach Leaving with 'No Regrets'

Pearl resigns after five years with school program.

 

After five years at Canton High School, football coach Roger Pearl is moving on.

Pearl has announced his resignation from Canton after the Warriors’ 0-10 season.

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“At Canton I believe I did the best job for what I had,” Pearl said. “In high school sports every team has its highs and lows. When a coach has a down year the best he can do is make the situation positive, and don’t get down on your team.”

Principal Gary Gula praised Pearl for his ability to retain his athletes even in a tough year. He also said he is proud of the team for winning the sportsmanship award from the Hartford Board of Football officials.

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“It was a very difficult year as the varsity team did not win a game, but the athletes did not abandon the program which is testament to Roger,” Gula said. “In fact, the team was recognized by the association of referees for their fine sportsmanship on and off the field. We wish Roger the very best in his position.”

Pearl said in five years, “not one player who started in August quit the team.”

In all the team has had 15 All-league players, one all-state player and two northern chapter hall of fame players, Pearl said. 

“I leave Canton with no regrets and would have did it the same way if I had to do it again,” Pearl said.

Canton High School Athletic Director Dee Stephan started after football season and didn't have the opportunity to work with Pearl but said she does wish him well.

The position has been advertised on football specific sites as well as the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference site. She said she also plans to reach out to other ADs and coaches.  

"Once we have a solid application pool we will begin interviews," she said. 

Pearl, who has 32 years of coaching experience, said he has received numerous other offers and is “looking for the right fit.” 

Stephan said she only has a resignation letter from one of Pearl's paid assistants but Pearl said both have left. One volunteer coach has also left the program, according to Pearl. 

Varsity football returned to Canton High School in 2007, more than 40 years after varsity football was eliminated due to a lack of players, according to Canton High Football online. In 2006, football was played as a club sport. 

An attempt to resurrect the sport in 1973 failed but the Board of Education approved it in late 2006 after Friends of Canton Football raised the funds for it and agreed to fund it and Girls Lacrosse, according to the site. A club team had also been fielded in the fall of 2006. 


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