For the fourth time in eight years, the athletic department has welcomed a new head football coach.
“Coach Goodman brings a deep understanding of championship culture, player development and leadership to WHHS,” WHHS athletics said in an Instagram post.
Dominick Goodman has previously coached at several schools, including Colerain, Northwest, Princeton, New Miami and Talawanda. His decision to accept the position at WHHS was, in part, due to the students.
“[I took this job because] I heard a lot of great things as far as the students, the players, the education here and the will of wanting to play,” Goodman said.
Though the program is constantly evolving, players seem to have adapted to the concept of dynamic instructors.
“I was shocked at first that the old one stepped down,” Jonathan Jackson Jr., ‘27, said. “But [then I felt] a sense of excitement that it’s something new and a new challenge to accomplish.”
Following this recent announcement, players have gotten the chance to meet their new coach and form first impressions.
“[I would describe Coach as] hungry, prepared and eager,” Colin Ross, ‘27, kicker said.
Born and raised in Cincinnati, Goodman attended Colerain High School and began playing as a quarterback. However, his freshman year, he transitioned to playing receiver.
“[When I made the transition,] I was a dual threat quarterback,” Goodman said. “I was seventh on the depth chart, [and] I was just eager to play. I saw an opportunity at receiver and I took it.”
He later attended the University of Cincinnati, where he played football all four years, winning the Orange Bowl and the Big East in his SENIOR year.
Goodman also has experience in the German Football League for the Dresden Monarchs.
“It was fantastic, I had a ball,” Goodman said. “I met a lot of great people. I also learned a little bit of German, learned the culture and I got to travel to a lot of places in Germany, especially the stuff you see in history books.”
Goodman has always had football in his life, whether that was coaching, playing in high school and college or playing overseas.
“Football means a lot to me: it changed my life, it helped me travel the world [and it] h
elped me get an education,” Goodman said. “Football helped me conquer all my goals.”
New beginnings can be tumultuous, but each player has come to adapt to change.
“The team is ready for a change and a win,” Ross said.
With the addition of the new coach, players have various opinions on what changes they want to see.
“[What I hope changes is] just recruiting as a whole,” Jackson said. “There is so much talent here and I would like the kids here to want to join.”
Ross expressed his want for more straightforward team building skills.
“I hope we can be more organized and create a better culture,” Ross said.
With tryouts only a few months away and conditioning in full swing, Goodman has an idea of what the first days are going to look like with his new team.
“I bring enthusiasm and love of the game; I want everyone to succeed and help everybody reach their full potential,” Goodman said. “[I want to] build the brotherhood and set expectations.”
Last year the team won two out of ten games, claiming the best record in the past three years. To carry this hopeful feat into next season, Goodman has been busy brainstorming about how he will motivate the team, even after a loss.
“This year is a new year, things are going to be better,” Goodman said. “[If we lose we will] get back to the drawing board and get back to work. My motto is ‘get better each second, each hour, each day.’”
With Goodman’s clear path of set expectations, students and players can expect a future of exciting football seasons.
“I hope to leave a legacy of greatness.” Goodman said. “I just want kids to understand that you don’t want to settle just to be good, you want to be great no matter what you do.”