Sports

No. 6 Sports Story of the Year: Chaos at Mercy

Former McGann-Mercy football coach Jeff Doroski. (Credit: Garret Meade)
Former McGann-Mercy football coach Jeff Doroski. (Credit: Garret Meade)

Jeff Doroski was a well-known figure at Bishop McGann-Mercy, from his days as a student to later, as a teacher and coach. Two years ago, Doroski led the football team into the semifinals of the Division IV playoffs. 

But in January, word began to spread that Doroski would no longer be the football team’s coach, marking the start of a tumultuous period for the school.

Newly hired athletic director Paul Mastronardi had informed Doroski he would no longer be head coach and instead offered him a chance to be an assistant. Doroski opted to leave the program and, soon after, longtime baseball coach Ed Meier announced he was leaving as well. Doroski instead took coaching positions in Riverhead for varsity softball and in Hampton Bays for football.

The Monarchs eventually moved on and hired former NFL quarterback Mike Buck, who guided the Monarchs back into the playoffs with a 4-4 season. Early in the season, Mastronardi resigned as athletic director.

Top 10 Sports Stories

No. 10: A rejuvenated girls basketball program at Mercy

No. 9: Stars on the track

No. 8: A cross country state champion

No. 7: Title run comes to an end