Credit: Chloe Zilembo

WHS guidance counselor Jim Girard is now coaching Wayland football after stepping down from being Lincoln Sudbury’s head coach. “I stepped down as the head coach at LS following the 2023 season so that I could spend more time with and care for my ailing parents who live out of state,” Girard said.

Wayland guidance counselor, Jim Girard, has coached football for 27 years, but this year is his first season coaching Wayland in nearly two decades.

Girard was previously the head coach of the Lincoln Sudbury High School (LSHS) varsity football team for five seasons, from 2019 to 2023, where he led the team to a record of 39-11 and four Dual County League (DCL) Championships. Girard ultimately decided to step down as head coach to focus on his family.

“I stepped down as the head coach at LS following the 2023 season so that I could spend more time with and care for my ailing parents who live out of state,” Girard said. “The time commitment for being a head football coach is pretty much year round, including summers. I was not able to put the necessary time to be the head coach and provide for my parents like I wanted to.”

However, Girard realized that he still wanted to be involved in coaching football and Wayland had an opening for an assistant coach.

“In late spring I learned there was a vacancy on the WHS football staff,” Girard said. “I told [ football head coach Scott Parseghian] that I would love to assist on a part-time basis if possible and then things just fell into place.

Girard said he is very happy with the progress Wayland has made so far in the season, as well as the support he has received.

“This season has been going very well so far,” Girard said. “I have greatly appreciated the warm welcome from the players, despite my being on the opposite sideline for so many years. I am thankful to [Parseghian] and his staff for welcoming me back after a 16 year hiatus. It has been a very smooth transition and I am eager to assist in any small way possible to help the team achieve its goals.”

According to Girard, there are only a few differences between coaching at Wayland and Lincoln Sudbury (LS). Girard said the biggest difference is that LS roster was a lot bigger than Wayland’s roster.

“There are very few differences between coaching at Wayland and LS,” Girard said. “The main difference is the amount of players on the roster. Obviously the school size of LS is larger, so I would see a larger roster in terms of sheer numbers. Beyond that, no difference at all. Players show up daily with a good attitude, a sense of purpose, a willingness to learn and improve, an appetite for competition and a sincere appreciation for being part of a team that has a shared vision and common goals.”

When choosing a job, there are multiple influences that can affect one’s choice. Girard developed a passion for football at a young age.

“Having played football for many years at the youth, high school and college levels, I developed a love for the game and all that goes with it,” Girard said. “My job in a school system has allowed me the opportunity to continue my involvement on the coaching side of things. Football in the fall is something I have been associated with for over 40 years now as a player or coach and I cannot imagine my life without it”.