Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Marian Catholic Announces Hiring of New Head Football Coach


During a press conference on Monday, Marian Catholic officially announced the appointment of Billy O’Gurek, a proud alumnus of the Class of 2001 and former Colts player, as their new Head Football Coach. 

O’Gurek brings a wealth of experience to the position, having served as an Assistant Coach for the Colts over the past seven seasons.

As a former player and longtime Assistant Coach, O’Gurek is poised to build upon the strong foundation laid by his predecessor, Stan Dakosty.

Speaking of Coach Dakosty, Marian Catholic, the press conference was also used to celebrate the his legacy.

The school announced on November 22nd that the coaching legend has decided to retire from his role as the head of the Colts Football program. Coach Dakosty, who returned to the sideline in the winter of 2019, leaves behind a remarkable legacy and a program reinvigorated under his leadership.

During his tenure, Coach Dakosty achieved an impressive milestone of 326 wins, all with Marian Catholic High School, marking the highest number of victories by any coach in District XI history. One of the defining moments in his illustrious career was the 1990 State Championship triumph against Farrell. Despite initially retiring in 2016, Coach Dakosty returned in 2019 with a mission to revitalize the program. In the recently concluded season, he guided the Colts to the District XI Class A championship game, showcasing his unwavering commitment to excellence.

Notably, Coach Dakosty faced the unique challenge of rebuilding the program during the pandemic, with the team dwindling to just a dozen players at the end of 2019. Undeterred, he led the Marian Catholic Football team to a runner-up finish in the 2023 District XI tournament. Coach Dakosty's legacy extends beyond the wins and losses; he leaves behind a thriving football program with a promising future.

As the Colts bid farewell to one coaching legend, they welcome another in the form of Coach Billy O’Gurek. The Marian Catholic community looks forward to the continued success and growth of the football program under Coach O’Gurek's guidance.