Coach's Corner - Mike Bonavia, Einstein Football

This summer, CSZ will be doing a segment on the WICKipedia entitled "Coach's Corner". In this feature, we'll be conducting Q&A's with various coaches from around Maryland to learn more about their coaching processes, and why they love coaching.

Today we're featuring Mike Bonavia, the football head coach at Einstein High School in Montgomery County! Coach Bonavia spoke with us about a variety of topics, including what it was like to lead Einstein to the state playoffs for the first time since 1998!

County Sports Zone:How did you get your start with coaching lacrosse?

Mike Bonavia:This great legendary coach named Al Thomas, who was introduced to me by a great friend, Dan Harwood, and his passion and love for the game was infectious. I swear if it wasn't for Al, I wouldn't have received my first head coaching job at Richard Montgomery. They asked what coaching experience do I have and why me. Al Thomas and I have energy, which is what the program needed!

CSZ:Why do you coach? What about it do you enjoy?

MB:I still have the fight and the competitive edge, and the athletes are buying into the surge to believe that they can win. Certainly the quest to challenge the young and inexperienced players at Einstein, and to try to overcome that we won't be the team that our opponents assume is just a guaranteed win.

CSZ:Specifically Einstein- why do you enjoy coaching there?

MB:First off we have the best and most supportive principal that loves sports and believes that what happens in the fall with football carries over for the rest of the school year. If we succeed the school will run better, smoother and set the tone for the rest of the year! Next, we have some quality athletes that now believe and want to be good teammates, play for each other and play their heart out every single play. I've also formed an outstanding staff, which had a lot to do with our success. Boy that helps!

CSZ:What are some key fundamentals that you like to instill in your players?

MB:The old AL Thomas way- play every play like it's your last, be your best and be the unselfish teammate that everybody wants to play with. Say you did your best--whether it be on or off the field. Lastly, grow and make good decisions that will carry you through this tough thing called life!

CSZ:It ended up being a tremendous season for Einstein's football program. How did it feel to make the playoffs for the first time since 1998?

MB:It was a carryover from the year before. A great group of young, very committed athletes that cared about this team. Then this group that wanted to follow and take it to the next level. We still need to makes great strides, but we are going in the right direction.

CSZ:What are the goals and expectations for this upcoming season for Einstein football?

MB:To weed out the phonies and fight our hearts out for each other every single play. Also, to commit to striving for greatness, and punch our opponent in the mouth every play.