Science teacher Kyle Sousa has been named the new Oliver Ames Winter Track & Field Head Coach.
Principal Wes Paul and Athletic Director Bill Matthews hired Sousa after long-time head coach and history teacher Mike Darling announced earlier this year that he was stepping down.
Matthews said OA received multiple applications. The final two candidates were Sousa, the cross country coach, and long-time winter assistant coach and history teacher Jake Sunderland. Paul and Matthews set up a committee consisting of four sports captains and two-track parents. The purpose of this committee, Matthews said, was for the members to listen to the interviews and offer their suggestions and recommendations.
After conducting the final interviews and hearing from the committee, Paul and Matthews decided to appoint Sousa as the head coach of winter track. Matthews stated that they based this decision on “experience, expectations, passion, leadership, skill, integrity” and many other important qualities.
This hiring has sparked conversation in the track sector of the school. Indoor track captain Rory McLaughlin was happy to hear that his cross country coach was selected to become the next head coach. He is excited for this upcoming indoor track season as he believes that Sousa “creates a positive team culture [because] he has a plan for everything.”
Another indoor track captain, Abigail Hodges, had this to say about the hiring, “I am not entirely happy because Sunderland was a really good coach of mine for the past couple of years, but I am trying to be optimistic so hopefully we can do some really cool things with Sousa.”
After Sousa’s appointment was announced, assistant coach and history teacher Brian Gotsell resigned from his position as an assistant coach. Matthews said he had not heard from the other assistant coaches as of Wednesday.