San Rafael JV Coach Named Head Man at Drake

As the junior varsity football coach at last season, Ethan Hough was preparing for a promotion someday.

He was active in the fundraising, communications and administrative side of the Bulldogs' football program. And on the sidelines, the former Drake quarterback demonstrated a creative offensive mind.

It was the latter that got Hough plucked away from San Rafael in the spring when Drake varsity head coach Dan Kenilvort was looking for an offensive coordinator.

And it was the former that impressed the Drake administrators to the point where Hough on Thursday was named the Pirates' head coach, filling a vacancy created by Kenilvort's work-related resignation early in July.

“This is a mini-dream come true,” Hough boasted Friday, thanking Kenilvort for his support. “I haven’t been part of the Drake community for 20 years. I’m excited to come back. I have a lot of great memories from high school. I’m grateful to the faculty for giving me the opportunity.

“At San Rafael, I had an opportunity to see all the things that go into being a head coach that aren’t the X’s and O’s. I’m confident I know what I’m doing.”

It didn’t take Kenilvort long to applaud the decision.

“I’m very excited about it,” the three-year Drake coach assured.

“He went into the summer assuming he would get the job and he’s been doing a great job. He’s installed his offense. He’s found a defensive coordinator (Glenn Weston). He’s taken off running. He’s already laid down the law with some kids. I’m impressed.”

Kenilvort labels Hough “a teacher.”

“He really knows how to handle the kids. That’s a great asset for him,” the former boss praised. “He doesn’t get really excited. He’s able to maintain the calm.”

Hough is confident the Pirates will be ready to go when they take the field in less than a month (Sept. 2) for their opener at San Rafael.

“As soon as I became the interim (head coach), I installed the offense that I had been running at San Rafael, because I knew if I was going to get the job, I wanted to have my best foot forward,” he said. “Now it’s up to the coaching staff and the kids to all buy in. It won’t be an excuse that it’s too late. We can make the most of this season.”