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The Cros-Lex board approved the hiring of Pat Connell as head football coach and as a high school math teacher on Tuesday night. Connell, a 1998 grad of Port Huron Northern, replaces former football coach Jason VanDerMaas, who left two weeks ago to take the varsity football position and a teaching position at Flint Carman-Ainsworth.

Connell played football at Port Huron Northern and then at Adrian College before being injured in his junior year. He graduated from Adrian in 2002 and returned to Northern as a teacher and assistant football coach until 2006. He then accepted a job at West Johnston High School in Benson, North Carolina. Along with teaching, Connell, single, was a special teams coordinator with the varsity football team last season. In spring practices at West Johnston this year, he was the offensive coordinator.

John Knuth, Cros-Lex Athletic Director, said there were other good candidates to replace VanDerMaas, who had plenty of success in the last five years. He added that there was more than one reason for deciding on Connell, though.

"Our main emphasis was to fill one of our teaching positions, and we did that." Knuth then continued on about the coaching position. "One of the main things Pat brought to the table was a real passion for coaching football. We know he'll be totally committed to do it and do it in the proper way. We think he'll continue to promote and have expectations of sportsmanship and, academically, have his players perform their very best. Plus, I think he'll come in here with a high degree of organization.

"Jason had done a great job of getting us to this level," said Knuth, "and we'll miss him. And, I think Pat can take this to a new level."

The Pioneers have won two straight BWAC co-championships and have been to the playoffs the last three years under the direction of VanDerMaas, who is an alumnus of Cros-Lex. When coming into the football system at C-L, VanDerMaas brought in a high-scoring spread offense that took full flight three years ago and has led to 18 victories the last two seasons.

Connell, who was up in Lexington this past weekend for a team camp, said he would bring in a similar offensive style.

"I'm a spread offense guy, too," remarked Connell. "It's not exactly like Jason's, but the kids will find there are a lot of similarities." Connell added that the biggest difference "is terminology. But, I think the kids will pick it up pretty quickly."

Connell's parents still live in the Port Huron area and he admits being back with family nearby was important. "Coming back home is a big part of this, but God blessed me to have this opportunity to be at Cros-Lex. I've heard they've had a good program and I've aspired to be a head coach."

The early transition has been good, he added. "Everyone's been very welcoming to me. It's been great."

Looking ahead, Connell is naturally optimistic, "Cros-Lex certainly has a great tradition and there's a great work ethic here. I expect nothing different and I expect great things for the program as a whole. If everybody pitches in, we'll be successful."

The Pioneers will officially begin fall practice on Monday, August 6. The first varsity football game for the Pioneers will be a non-league battle against Montrose at Pioneer Stadium on Friday, August 24.