Last year, Western football had an explosive first season under the reign of new head coach Ed Redmond. The team had a record of 10-2, ending their season in the regional semi-finals.

When laying the foundation for the new program, Redmond coined the team motto to be, “Together We Win” and saw the team as a family. This year, the team really is his family as his son, Michael Redmond, joined his father on the field as an assistant coach, working specifically with the quarterbacks.

Although this is this is the first time they have coached together, sports have always been a central part to the Redmonds’ relationship. With his father as the Athletic Director, varsity football coach and varsity baseball coach at Lansing High School in Lansing, New York, Michael always attended his dad’s practice after school, acting as water boy and equipment manager. As he began high school, he played both baseball and football for his father. Under his father’s coaching, he played on both sides of the line as quarterback and safety.

Describing his childhood, Michael said, “Whatever the season, that was the sport I was in. Without question, many great memories are with football. It is such a special game.” With football having such a strong influence on their relationship, it is no surprise that the Redmonds came up with the idea to coach together.

“I think the biggest influence was the community; I had lived here for a few years previously and I really wanted to get back to the area,” Michael said in describing his motivations to coach at WAHS. It is this same sense of community that the Redmonds try to instill not only in the football program, but throughout the school and local area. At every practice, the players are reminded that they are not playing just for themselves, but for the guys standing beside them on the field, and everyone in the stands. It is clear that football unites everyone in the Western community, and to give back, the team completes community service projects throughout the season.

Redmond loves coaching for his dad. “It is a great feeling, especially when we work so hard each week to get to Fridays. The preparation is the most fun.” It takes a lot of hard work and time behind the scenes for the coaches to prepare the team for each weeks’ game, and Head Coach Redmond appreciates the work his assistant coaches commit to analyzing film and designing plays.

Describing his son, Redmond said, “He is a solid coach and even better person.” This could easily be said about both Redmonds who have come here and quickly become part of the Western family.