Kennard-Dale closes in on new football coach

By the end of tonight, Kennard-Dale could have a new head football coach.

Andy Loucks, a Dallastown graduate with college and high school coaching experience, will go up for approval tonight at the South Eastern School District's scheduled board meeting. Kennard-Dale athletic director Gary McChalicher confirmed Loucks as the school's candidate Thursday.

Loucks most recently coached at La Plata High School in southern Maryland. Before that, he was head coach at Stevens College of Technology in Lancaster.

"In terms of coaching he's a pretty prominent name," McChalicher said. "With all the momentum we've built up with our program, I think this is a nice transition."

Loucks would replace Doug Wilkinson, who resigned in March after eight seasons with the program. Wilkinson was 28-54 at the school, but turned the Rams from a perennial doormat into a two-time District 3 playoff qualifier. Kennard-Dale finished 6-5 this past season and nearly upset Hershey in its playoff opener.

Kennard-Dale had been the owners of the YAIAA's lone remaining football coaching vacancy. But that spot looks like it's about to be filled.

We'll have more on this story later on GameTimePa.com.

UPDATE (11 p.m.): Got an off the phone with Kennard-Dale athletic director Gary McChalicher, who said the school board will wait until its June 17 board meeting to vote on Loucks' approval. Doesn't sound like the delay has anything to do with Loucks, just some formality stuff.

For the print story on Loucks (with comments from the coach), click here.