Sports

Football: Doroski returning to coach McGann-Mercy

Jeff Doroski will return this fall as Mercy's head football coach. (Credit: Garret Meade, file)
Jeff Doroski will return this fall as Mercy’s head football coach. (Credit: Garret Meade, file)

Jeff Doroski will return as the McGann-Mercy football coach next fall.

After a contentious departure in early 2014, which led to him taking the varsity head coach positions of Riverhead softball and Hampton Bays football, Doroski will once again be on the sideline of his alma mater when the Monarchs kick off in September. 

A school official confirmed the move Friday afternoon. Doroski, who’s a physical education teacher at Mercy, could not be immediately reached for comment.

Doroski replaces Mike Buck, a former NFL quarterback, who coached the Monarchs for one season. Mercy reached the playoffs last year, losing in the first round.

“At this time due to curriculum changes and reallocation of resources, Mike Buck will not be returning for the 2015-16 academic year,” said Mercy administrator Debbie Kneidl in an email. “As such, a review process took place and Jeff Doroski (’92) has been named head varsity football coach for the 2015 season.”

In January 2014, Doroski was informed by newly hired athletic director Paul Mastronardi that he would not be brought back as the varsity football coach. The surprise move created a stir at the small school, leading to a heated meeting with parents of the football team and the school administrators.

Mastronardi resigned as the AD in September after nine months on the job just as football season began.

Doroski first became the varsity football coach in 2011. He went 11-15 in three years as head coach.

[email protected]