'Hometown boy' Wadhams takes over as Lyons football coach | News

If there was a definition of “Home Town Boy” in the dictionary it would say, “See Randy Wadhams.” He grew up in Lyons, played football for Lyons and even after he went away to college at in the fall of 1977 he came back to Lyons. But coming home isn’t always easy and sometimes might not be the best choice. More about that later.

Wadhams, or “Wad” as many call him played football for Lyons and in his senior year, (1976 season) lost only once to Waterloo. After graduation in 1977 Randy along with his good friend, stand out running back Pat Maddock were off to college at Upper Iowa University. Maddock attended on a football scholarship and Wadhams on his own, but made the football team as a walk on.

“Wad” has been coaching one sport or another at Lyons High School since 1985, over 25 years. Employed full time since 1978 by NY State DOT, Newark, he has coached everything from boy and girls tennis, girls JV basketball (perfect 18-0, 2009/2010) and girls track. But the sport that is at the top of his list is FOOTBALL. His eyes light up when he talks about it and his ever constant grin gets brighter and wider.

He started out as an assistant coach and later became head JV coach. In 2002 Wadhams took over as head varsity coach, when head coach Brian McGavin unexpectedly announced his resignation at the second day of pre-season practice. Maddock agreed to be offensive coordinator and did it out of friendship, as a non paid volunteer. Also assisting were John Lawson and Sean Salamon. The 2002 campaign produced a winning 4-2 record. The 2003 season was Wadhams zenith. He and his staff had been with the seniors since they were freshman and they were ready to play. Lyons beat Section 6 Randolph in the semifinal 32-30 with a field goal in the closing seconds, before losing to Onondaga 29-22 in the State Class D semifinal. Onondaga went on to win the State Title beating Cambridge 41-21 behind the running of future Indianapolis Colt Mike Hart. The 2004 season was a rebuilding year, after losing a strong, dedicated bunch of seniors. The season ended with a modest record of 4-3.

In the spring of 2005 Wadhams learned that he was being replaced as head coach by Lyons full time teacher Dominic Monacelli. In simple terms according to teachers and full time school district employee contracts if a qualified full time employee wants a coaching position that person should be awarded the job. Monacelli in as head coach, Wadhams out. After stepping away from Lyons football for a year Wadhams was asked to return by Monacelli as an assist, where he remained until May of this year. For reasons unknown Monacelli stepped down as coach and Wadhams was renamed head coach for the 2011 season.

Courtesy: WaynePost.com, to read the rest of this article, click here.