Dusty Macauley is new football coach

Dusty Macauley, 26, is the Outlaws' new Interim Head Football Coach. He replaces his father, Bob Macauley, who has established the Outlaws as a football powerhouse in the state.

In addition to a fine mind for the game, Dusty brings with him three years as quarterback for the Outlaws and a formidable record under the tutelage of coaching great Frosty Westering at Pacific Lutheran University.

The long-term fate of Sisters High School's football program has been in limbo since Dusty's father and high school principal Bob Macauley last August 24 resigned as the school's head football coach to devote full-time to his role as principal.

During his last 27 years coaching, Macauley has notched on his belt seven conference wins, four state championship appearances and two state championships.

The announcement on Tuesday, March 18, of Dusty's assignment as interim head coach came on the heels of public outcry for his father's reinstatement as head coach. At the March 11 school board meeting, three of Macauley's volunteer assistant coaches, Ken Ruettgers, Quay Richerson and Tim Barrier, along with freshman Jordan Richardson and NFL Hall-of-Famer Dan Fouts, expressed their concern about Macauley's resignation.

Prior to this meeting a near 600-signature petition was submitted to superintendent Elaine Drakulich offering three alternatives for Macauley's reinstatement.

Superintendent Drakulich told The Nugget that she understands concerns like those expressed by the public, but she does not feel they should be expressed at school board meetings.

"I am extremely disappointed that as a community we continue to use board meetings for that kind of forum," she said in a press conference last week.

"That just divides our community, and we are a really, really good school system that wants to be the best. I'm disappointed in that meeting. My hope is that we don't have board meetings like that again."

Assistant defensive back volunteer coach Richerson, although supportive of Dusty, does not feel that Drakulich or the school board has answered questions raised by both the community and Sisters High School students about the issues that surround Macauley's resignation.

"Dusty has a tremendous grasp of football concepts and obviously has great pedigree," Richerson said. "His future in coaching is bright, and he is an excellent choice to lead the Outlaw football program. He has complete support of the coaching staff and communicates very well with the players.

"I commend the parties who were involved in making this decision; however, I'm amazed that nobody in a leadership position has stepped up to the plate publicly to answer why we are even discussing a replacement for our head football coach. I agree it is time to move forward, but the community is still confused about the circumstances surrounding Bob Macauley's 'resignation.'"

Drakulich, who had not met Dusty in person until the press conference announcing his selection, said the idea of passing the baton to Dusty was a topic of discussion between herself and principal Macauley since last summer's announcement of Macauley's resignation. Then, after the petition asking for Macauley's reinstatement was submitted, Drakulich and Macauley looked seriously for solutions.

"The parties in the decision were the assistant coaches that we talked with ... and Bob (Macauley) and I, and just this week Bob and I and Glen (Lasken, school board vice-chairman)," said Drakulich.

Dusty is not new to the Outlaws football program. He served as Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator last season.

He called every offensive play last season. Bob Macauley said he only said "are you sure?" four times and only overruled him once in the final play.

"I have a really good angle on how he (my dad) ran the program," Dusty said. "This (being head coach) is a really good spot for me now, because I don't think I was quite ready last year. I wanted the opportunity, but I was not quite there."

According to both superintendent Drakulich and principal Macauley, the school district will reassess in January 2009 the hiring of a head football coach for the 2009-10 school year.

Not a teacher at the high school, Dusty faces the special challenge of developing a sense of continuity with his players.

"The day-to-day contact with the kids beyond the practice field is a challenge," Dusty said.

In addition to the $4,000 head coach position, Dusty also has a day job in the construction industry. Wearing both hats will require some juggling.

"We're going to try and find a way where I can be more involved. It is a priority. ... One of the things I'd like to do is start meeting with the kids on a weekly basis, whether it's one-on-one or group meetings where I can follow up and find out how school is going for them," said Dusty.

Although Dusty will look to his father for guidance, he is also cautious about the potential for his father to be a back seat driver.

"That will be a real interesting dynamic. I think he's earned a right to be on that field if he wants to come out. ... I will take his advice. I will use him as much as I can. He's always been very sensitive with giving me space and at the same time bringing me along, reminding me. If I feel like I'm getting my toes stepped on a little bit, I'll let him know."