After eight years on the job, legendary high school basketball coach Paul Moran, a Swampscott native, stepped down as the Marblehead High girls coach to return to his hometown to head up the Big Blue boys program once again.
But in a touch of irony, following the usual interview process of prospective candidates for the job, Moran’s replacement ended up being Phil Witt, a Swampscott boy himself, who actually played for his Marblehead predecessor, before graduating from Big Blue country in 2007. Phill also played baseball in high school. But he’s now loyal to Marblehead. Since 2019, he has been a teacher/coach, mostly at the middle school.
Upon making the announcement, MHS Director of Athletics Kent Wheeler stated Phill’s familiarity with the Marblehead community as a definite asset.
“Coach Witt brings a wide variety of athletic leadership and coaching experience to the girls basketball program,” said Wheeler. “He has worked with Marblehead student-athletes (on) all levels from grade school to varsity, and is a familiar and respected face in the district. He has been a member of the community since 2019, and is currently the Middle School athletic coordinator, track coach, girls basketball coach and educator. He’s also the girls JV soccer coach at Marblehead High School.”
Being on both sides of the rivalry, Witt appreciates everything that it entails for each town’s fanbases. “It was very intense back then, (when I was a player),” he said. “I’ll always remember some of the crowds we would get for our basketball games, and how loud they would be, especially in the old SHS small gym. But now, it’s been fun being on the other side (of the rivalry) the last few years. The kids are always surprised when they find out that I went to Swampscott. I’m still excited to go back there and coach, even if it’s in the new school. But at the end of the day, I’m a competitor, and hopefully we’ll be very successful against them.”
Witt has nothing but praise for Moran, his former coach. “Obviously, he was a great player, who had a lot of knowledge about the game to pass along to us as players,” he said. “I think one of his best skills during my time there was adapting the style of play to the skills of his players. We’ve kept in touch over the years, and still have a good relationship. Hopefully, I can build on what he did here.”
Witt describes himself as a “player-oriented” coach. “High school sports have changed a lot in the past few years, but I think I do a good job of building relationships with the players, so I’m able to provide them with the support and coaching that they (all) need,” he explained. “I think the fans can expect a hard-working and competitive team that also has a high basketball IQ. My initial goals are to maintain the standard that Paul left (behind), and make the playoffs again. They had a narrow playoff loss last year, so I’d love to be able to take that next step, and win a playoff game. We will have a young team, so hopefully we can improve as the year goes on, while also building a strong foundation for the future.”
Witt has hit the ground running in his new position. The girls have already started summer workouts, and are planning captains’ practices. “I just took over at the very end of (this) school year, so it might be too late to play in most summer leagues, but hopefully we can find someplace to go to get the girls playing games this summer, as well,” he said.
The new head coach is in the process of forming his staff with Wheeler, his sports boss. The search will include finding his varsity assistants, as well as the JV and eighth grade head coaches.
“I’ve had discussions with several candidates, so hopefully they will be finalized soon,” Witt said. He will meet with the players to take a vote on next year’s captains, and expects the transition to a new coaching philosophy to be a smooth one, because he already knows each of them from his time at the Vet.
“I have coached many of them in basketball, soccer or track on the middle school level, and as a result our relationship is strong (from those experiences),” Witt added.
After graduating from Swampscott High, he went on to the University of Miami, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in sports administration.
In closing, Wheeler said, “Phill is a part of our community, who understands that building our girls basketball program starts with the youth and middle school programs. He knows and is respected by many of the girls that he will be coaching this year (and beyond). He is a good fit for the program, and I’m excited to see (how he) transitions into this varsity head coaching role.”
Having learned to play sports in Swampscott, Witt has adopted various coaching styles. “I was lucky enough to have many great coaches (at) a young age,” he said. “I already mentioned Paul, of course, but another great influence on me was Jeff Newhall, the longtime girls basketball coach and athletic director at St. Mary’s of Lynn. He was one of my baseball coaches, and I learned a lot from him (on) how to build a positive environment, and how to get the most out of every player. He also did a great job teaching (his players) how to handle pressure and expectations.”
While Newhall was his American Legion baseball coach, Witt also considers his SHS baseball coach T.J. Baril another valuable influencer on him getting into the coaching game. “(Baril) had (tremendous) organizational skills, and was always prepared for everything,” he said. “John “Doc” Beaulieu, an assistant SHS basketball coach, was another coach who I learned a great deal from. He also coached me in multiple sports growing up. His knowledge of sports and ability to teach particular skills was massive in my development as a young athlete.”
