Dennis Worek Introduces Himself as New McLean HS Football Coach

Dennis Worek, the new head coach for the McLean High School varsity football team, met his new colleagues and neighbors Wednesday evening.

Worek began “Meet the Coach Night” by sharing his life, starting with his childhood in Glassport, Pa.

“My dad worked in the steel mill for 45 years, so it was a rough life. You get a great work ethic,” said Worek. “The only way out of that town was by sports or winning the lottery, and we didn’t win the lottery.”

Worek went on to get a full athletic football scholarship to East Carolina University, but injured his knee playing basketball his senior year in high school. He transferred to a division 2 school in Pennsylvania called Clarion University, graduating in 1974.  He then made his move to Northern Virginia, starting his first coaching job at West Springfield High School as the head freshmen football coach.

His next coaching jobs in chronological order were at Hayfield, Lake Braddock, Catholic University, W.T. Woodson, Langley and then Madison before retiring from coaching.

“I wanted to coach again because I missed being around football in general; the atmosphere on game nights, the preparation for the season, the camaraderie with the players and the coaching staff,” said Worek. “I feel like I still have a lot to share in terms of teaching the sport and keeping it in its proper perspective. McLean has a good football program already in place and I want to share my knowledge with the team and the community.”

Worek is 59 years old, a Fairfax County resident and married 32 years to his wife Debbie. He has two sons, Nick and Nate, who both played football in Fairfax County Public Schools and graduated from George Mason University. Nick is set to be a part of the McLean coaching staff and Worek hopes to have his son Nate to join as well.

Worek continued the meeting by discussing objectives, important dates and naming the coaching staff.

His objectives include attracting enough athletic talent to be competitive, selecting a staff of competent and professional assistants, establishing a positive attitude and winning atmosphere and having every athlete play to their potential every play. He also noted that cursing would not be tolerated on his team.

“You’ll see me on the sideline in a shirt and tie. I always look at it as an educator. I’m a teacher; this is just an extension of the classroom. What we wouldn’t do in the classroom we will not do on the practice field or in a game,” said Worek. “I only have one goal. You know what I want? Ten years from now when they come back to their reunion, win, lose or draw to say, ‘You know what? We had a pretty good time while we were playing.’ That’s what I want.”