McGregor is starting his 28th year as head football coach of DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville. McGregor was named the NFL’s high school football coach of the year in 2004 — nominated by his former player, Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook. And McGregor’s team was recently ranked No. 15 in the country by Rivals.com.
Are you surprised by the ranking?
It’s really a nice honor and I think a real testament to where our program is. This year’s team obviously hasn’t done a thing yet, but I think it’s based on the reputations of the great teams we’ve had over the last number of years.
Does that put a target on your back?
Actually, we’re kind of used to it being the team that everyone shoots for, the big game on everyone’s schedule. We welcome the challenge.
How do you keep a successful program together for so long?
The big thing is the team, it’s not about individuals. Teams win football games, teams win championships. You have to mold the guys into a thought process that no one is bigger than the team. … The more we sell team and unity and working for the common cause, the better off we are. And fortunately we’ve been able to sell that to the kids, the kids have bought in.
How many of your former players are now in the NFL?
Right now we’re at about eight.
Have you ever seen that show “Friday Night Lights”? Is that an accurate portrayal of the life of a football coach?
I don’t know about that. I think that’s a little fabricated. I’ll tell you what’s kind of funny, though. The coach that came in to replace the head coach when the head coach went to college, his name was Bill McGregor and he wore a visor just like I did. All the kids were teasing me and kidding me.
