Gentile Joins Marple Coaching Staff
Tagged under: Coaches Corner, District 1, News
Charlie DiPasqua | August 6, 2020
Rich Gentile has been an Upper Darby Royal his entire life. For the first time in his 38-year coaching career, Gentile will be trading in his purple and gold for orange and black. He joins Chris Gicking’s staff and squad at Marple Newtown who went 8-4 a season ago. Gentile had nothing but positive things to say about his time with the Royals.
“The school has turned me into the person that I am today. I thank them for that and the opportunity they gave me.”
Gentile excelled as a student-athlete at both Upper Darby and West Chester University. After finishing college, he returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach. He served as an assistant from 1982 through the 1993 football season. In 1994, Gentile was given the keys to the Upper Darby program. He was in control from 1994 all the way through November of 2019. Under his leadership, Gentile led the Royals to 175 wins. Gentile is excited for a change.
“After being somewhere for so long, you get a level of excitement going to a new place.”
When asked about making the transition from head coach to assistant coach, Gentile mentioned his love for the game.
“I love to teach the great game of football. Whether it is an entire team or shrunk down to one position, I just love to teach the game.”
In addition to Gentile, Marcus Weathers also joins the coaching staff. Weathers graduated from Marple Newtown in 2016. He thrived under the guidance of Gicking as both a quarterback and wide receiver. In college, Weathers moved to the other side of the ball to play defense. He excelled as an edge rusher at Ursinus College. In his senior season, Weathers finished with nine sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss. His knowledge on both sides of the ball will help the student-athletes on the Tigers succeed throughout the season. Gicking is excited to have Weathers on the staff.
“It is great to have an alumni who played for us back as both a coach and role model for the players.”
The newest members of the coaching staff add both knowledge and experience to an already great group of assistants. Gicking is entering his seventh season as the head coach of the Tigers. They have all been together for Gicking’s 45 wins and two trips to the district one semifinals. This season, the Tigers will be looking to break through that gate and qualify for the district championship game. Gicking added this about the coaching staff.
“The assistant coaches we have here are amazing. They are always trying to improve every player. That is what makes the team and program great.”
Every game of the 2020 season can be heard on the Tigers Radio Network
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