The football program at Westside has seen more downs than ups over the last three years.
Tyler Dunigon is hoping to change that.
Dunigon, the team’s offensive coordinator in 2020, was named the head coach in early May, taking over for Herbie Halsey who led the program from 2017 to 2020.
Dunigon’s ties to the area predate his tenure in 2020.
In 2017 he was on the coaching staff, but stepped down after the birth of his first child. With his life off the field more under control, he rejoined the staff in 2020 and when the head coaching job came open after Halsey’s resignation, he took it. Though there were some hurdles to clear with a younger family and a job in law enforcement.
“I left in 2018 just because I had my first baby,” Dunigon said. “I felt like in the early stages of her life I should be there a little more. You know, family first. So I took two years off and I figured out that my kids really enjoyed being at grandma’s house so I’m able to take a little time away from them and put it into football.
“I wanted the job when it came up, but there were some things I had to work out. First off I’m not a teacher, so I had to talk with my chief and at minimum, during football season, whatever I need during the season they’ll take care of. But I had to work that out. I was there a lot as offensive coordinator already, but I had to clear that with my wife too. It’s me if somebody doesn’t have a ride. I sit and wait with them – first one in, last one out. So she had to be cool with that. Once I got the go ahead from those two I was all over it.”
Understanding what it takes to be a coach isn’t the only thing Dunigon’s aware of. He also understands how to win.
The Renegades were 6-4 with him on staff in 2017 and were turning the program around in 2020 before the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Wyoming County shut the season down. Even beyond that he’s succeeded as a player. In 2009 he was a first-team all-stater on the offensive line and the team captain of a Man squad that finished runner-up in Class A that year.
He’s hoping to instill some of that success in Westside program.
“The team that I was on was a physical, physical football team,” Dunigon said. “No matter the record or talent level over there, they’re usually never below 5-5 just because there’s a precedent of physicality that’s set there. Practices are hard, the kids are tough. And not that the our practices aren’t tough, but we’ve got to take that to the next level and I think these kids can do that.
“I know that in today’s game, and I like spreading it and airing it out, but at the core it’s a physical, physical game. And if you out-block and out-hit a team and you don’t turn it over, nine times out 10 you’ll win. That’s what’s holding Westside back. We’re going to be a much more physical team this year.”
Having previously run the offense, Dunigon doesn’t anticipate too much change on that front, but acknowledges they will need to make some adjustments. The Renegades will return a talented, dual-threat quarterback in junior Jaxon Cogar, but will need to replace many of his weapons. Amongst the departures are talented receivers Daniel Reed, Ethan Blackburn and Spencer Kenney.
“A lot of the formations, you’ll see are the same,” Dunigon said. “But just a few tweaks and concepts will be added in. You’re not going to see crazy changes, but for us things are a little more different and a little more complex.”
With a younger voice in the locker room, the Renegades seem to have taken well to Dunigon’s appointment.
He hasn’t had much time with them in the new role with vacation season taking over, but the turnout for weightlifting has been satisfactory.
“Until vacation season hit we were having 30 kids in the weight room,” Dunigon said. “I feel like the response has been good. Throughout the process I didn’t speak to one player that didn’t want me to get the job, but we’ll see when the season starts. If I’m really reaching out there, maybe I’ll have 50 or 60 kids show up. But I feel like so far everybody is excited and there’s definitely a different level of energy in the building.”
Dunigon will make his head coaching debut on Aug. 27 when the Renegades open their season at Wyoming East in the battle for the golden shovel.
Contact Tyler Jackson at tylerjackson@lootpress.com, call him at 304-731-5542 and follow on Twitter @tjack94
