By his admission, Makosy’s off-the-field problems are largely his fault. As he has won titles and cemented the mystique of Damascus football, Makosy has rolled up a staggering court record. A search of the Maryland judiciary Web site revealed more than 50 cases in which he has been a defendant.

In virtually all, plaintiffs sought money they contend Makosy owed. The aggrieved parties include private companies, credit institutions, individuals and the state and federal government, seeking to collect taxes. Many of the cases have resulted in judgments against Makosy, but remain active until Makosy pays. Other cases have yet to be resolved.

“I haven’t done anything illegal. I’ve never stolen money from anyone,” said Makosy. “Do I owe some people money? Yes, I’m paying them back. But it takes time.”

The state has garnished Makosy’s wages and seized his property. In the fall, when police can’t find Makosy to serve him papers, they go where they know they can find him — the practice field at Damascus.

Makosy formerly owned Gold’s Gym franchises in Glen Burnie and Damascus, and was part owner of a Gold’s Gym in Frederick. But his interests in those have been sold to pay debts.

“Am I guilty of not being a great businessman? It’s possible,” said Makosy, who also owns a construction business. “If I had put my heart and soul into business the way I’ve done with football, I might be a millionaire.”

Among those who have taken legal action against Makosy are former friends. Joe Doody, a teacher at Damascus and one of the football team’s top assistants until this year, filed a case against Makosy in January over a failed house deal.

Doody sued Makosy for breach of contract, and says the deal has cost him hundreds of thousands of dollars, forcing him to take out an equity loan on his current home. In a deposition in the case, according to Doody, Makosy told a modular home company that he was living off Doody’s bank construction draws.

“I never doubted him for a minute. I was in his wedding,” said Doody. “I wish someone had showed me the Maryland case search [Web site]. He’s borrowed from Peter to pay Paul for so long, that he’s in over his head.”

Edward Brown of Monrovia, formerly on the football staff at Damascus when Makosy also was an assistant, won a judgment against Makosy two years ago, but has written off the roughly $5,000 Makosy still owes him.

“You can’t get blood from a turnip,” said Brown, now an assistant coach at Linganore. “I blame myself to a certain degree. You need to look behind the rock before you jump behind it.”

William Cordell of Gaithersburg, who purchased Makosy’s Gold’s Gym in Damascus, then made him a substantial loan, won a judgment against Makosy for more than $112,000, because Makosy never repaid him.

“I’m in line like everybody else, trying to collect what I’m due,” said Cordell.

Makosy’s business woes began in the early 1990s with a failed painting enterprise. By that time, he was hooked on his part-time job — coaching football. He took a job as an assistant at Damascus in 1988.

“I thought it would be a one-year deal,” said Makosy. “But once I got into it, I loved it.”

Makosy took over as head coach in 1997. A bachelor then, he had the freedom to pour his time and energy into football. But those days are past. Makosy now is married and has three children.

As his debts and court cases piled up and his reputation in local business circles soured, Makosy’s football profile has risen.Can the two faces of Makosy co-exist?

Athletic director Rob Leonard refuses to answer questions about what he calls Makosy’s “personal business.” He said that Makosy is under no pressure to resign.

Other school and county officials would not comment on Makosy’s future.

Phone calls to Montgomery County Coordinator of Athletics Duke Beattie and Damascus principal Robert Domergue were not returned.

A call to Montgomery County schools Superintendent Jerry Weast was returned by Public Information Director Kate Harrison, who said: “We’re not able make comments about personnel because of privacy rights.”