By Lucas Greifzu – Editorial Editor

Jonathan Law High School officially hired Chris Haley to be the new head coach of its football program on January 17.

Haley was one of five candidates that was selected for a first-round interview, and he was one of three selected for a second round of interviews.

Haley, who served as interim head coach for the second half of last season, has many ideas about how he wants to improve the program.

“Many of my plans have already started to be put in motion,” Haley said. “First, the addition of Coach Ryan Pearson as our new offensive coordinator is an exciting announcement. He comes to us from New Canaan,and will be a great asset for our athletes.”

Haley also has some big plans for the offseason at Jonathan Law. 

“A major addition to our offseason programming is our partnership with VOLT Athletics,” Haley said. “This is a game-changer and provides our players with some of, if not the best, in strength and conditioning programming, along with endless resources for nutrition and overall wellness.”

Athletic director Mr. Sarullo said Haley stood out in his interview because of his long list of ideas to improve the program as well his desire to be involved in the school community as well.

“I think that we had a lot of qualified people for the position,” Sarullo said. “But his passion for working with our kids, his knowledge of the sport, and the culture that he wants to build, in being good members of the community and good representatives of the school really made him stand out.”

Haley’s leadership style stands out to his student-athletes. 

“Coach Haley is different because he doesn’t put winning in front of things that actually matter such as grades and being an overall good person,” said Jonathan Law junior and three-year member of the football team Angel Santiago. “He’s willing to do anything to make us better people which is hard to come by today.”

Coaching runs in Haley’s family and he is eager to carry on that coaching tradition at Law. As a long-time resident of Milford himself, Haley is very happy to be able to give back to his community in more ways than one.

“Aside from football, I’m honored to be carrying on a legacy,” Haley said. “My father has been in coaching 50 years, and I love Milford. It is a phenomenal place to live and raise a family and if coaching its high school football team helps make it an even better place, and can help produce even better people, then sign me up.”

Haley has managed to get his assistant coaches to rally beside him as well. With an experienced coaching staff on board, Haley is prepared to lead the Law football program to a success filled year.

“Coach Haley is a guy who follows through,” said Jonathan Law attendance officer and assistant football coach Mr. Boynton. “If there were 28 hours in a day, Coach Haley would work 28 hours a day to make sure that his program is successful, because his name is on it, and our name is on it, and we’re going to work hard for him.”

Law’s returning football players are also very pleased to have Haley be the new head coach. 

“I’ve trusted Coach Haley and I’ve definitely enjoyed him coaching for these past two years,” junior Vaughn Weston said. “I really like the way that the program changed when he became in charge.”