After receiving their diplomas, one of the last things on students’ minds is returning to Wayland High School.

Over the years, Wayland High School graduates Scott Parseghian, Sean Chase, Sam Breslin, Dylan Register, Jay Marshall, Chris Newton, Joe Cerrone, Tony Torres and Christian Peña, all of whom played warrior football, returned to coach the WHS team.

For some, the initial decision to come back to Wayland was easy.

“It was my goal sophomore year of high school to come back to Wayland and become a teacher and a coach,” said head football coach and Dean of Students Scott Parseghian.

For others, the path wasn’t as clear.

“When I was a player, I was going to be a marine biologist. I’m still waiting for that to happen,” said coach and history teacher Sean Chase.

Chase majored in history and minored in secondary education while attending Boston College. When placed in a student teaching program, he decided to returned to Wayland because of his positive experience as a student.

He began coaching lacrosse and wrestling, but when he was offered a position coaching freshman football, Chase was quick to jump on board.

Many of the coaches returned to the warrior football team for similar reasons.

“Everyone is here because we believe in the school and the community. All these folks you see on the sideline had the same positive experience playing high school football,” said Chase.

Even the three coaches who did not play for Wayland as students, Joe Cincotta, Jason Montrose and Jeff Blue, feel similarly. They aren’t excluded from Wayland traditions or important decisions.

“The kids don’t treat me differently and the coaches don’t treat me differently. I just have to live through them with their stories,” Cincotta said.

Coaches and students alike feel there is an advantage to having coaches who played WHS football.

“To have some of the coaches with that experience who can talk to the players and some of them that even play in summer season softball leagues with them… It’s that camaraderie that builds even out of football season that I like. As a head coach, looking down on that is special,” said Parseghian.

Senior Kamal Namou agrees with Parseghian.

“The coaches are always talking about memories they have, especially when we are at Caribou. Coach P always says that these are memories you’ll never lose,” said Namou. “That gets to me and makes me want to play harder.”

Although seniors may be unsure what their futures will hold, they always have a home in Wayland.

“The door is always open. We love having alumni come back because it shows the pride of Wayland and creates a great atmosphere,” said Cincotta.

Parseghian offered one last piece of advice for students seeking to enter any career field.

“Follow your passion always,” said Parseghian. “Do what you love. It’s not about the money. For the young people, if you find something you like and you can pay your bills at least, I say do it.”