Hayfield boys basketball coach David Abella resigned Wednesday after two years running one of the Northern Region’s most prestigious programs.
“For the first time in 12 years at Hayfield I didn’t feel like I could put the kids first,” said Abella, whose wife, Angela, is expecting the couple’s first child this month. “I felt spread a little too thin and our players deserve better than that.”
Abella, 32, is also co-owner and manager of a new Italian restaurant he opened in Lorton in January. A 1992 Hayfield graduate, Abella spent 13 years as an assistant coach at Hayfield and Woodbridge before becoming the Hawks’ head coach in 2005. Hayfield (7-15) fell on hard times this season while starting two freshmen, a sophomore and two juniors. The Hawks finished in seventh place in the Patriot District and lost to Lake Braddock in the district tournament quarterfinals. Hayfield 18-9 in 2005-06 and lost in the first round of the region tournament to Marshall.
Abella’s exit leaves head coach openings at three of Northern Virginia’s most decorated boys basketball programs — Hayfield, Herndon and South Lakes, which have combined to win 12 region titles since 1986 and appeared in four Virginia Group AAA state championship games.
