By: William Morgan
Have you ever gotten a chance to sit down and talk with teacher and new football coach Dominic Branch? Branch grew up in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and always had a firm passion for the sport of football. His favorite team is the Alabama Crimson Tide and Branch is very passionate about both of his teams the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Federal Hocking Lancers.
One of Branch’s goals is to bring the Lancers out of the slumps that they have been in the last few years. He wishes to bring the lancers to success and to great heights as a football program and to teach the players discipline, respect, and willingness to compete and put in the work on and off the field. Coach Branch has high expectations for his players.
“I expect effort, and them doing the right thing.”
Throughout his career as a coach at FH, Branch has earned the respect of students and staff alike and has made a positive impact on the program. The players appreciate Branch stepping up and taking the job and providing a better alternative than the previous head football coach. Every single player on the team has something positive to say about Coach Branch. Senior Gabe Bray is a fan.
“He is very determined, and expects the best from us and pushes us to be able to unlock our full potential¨.
Branch is very happy to be at FH and thinks highly of the school and students. He said that the environment at Federal Hocking is very welcoming and that he has been treated with a lot of respect and kindness from its staff and students.
Branch wishes to stay for FH for as long as possible.
“I will stay for as long as they´ll have me.”
Branch has always been inspired by the sport of football and the impact it had on his life. His biggest inspiration was his dad as well as the Lancer team from the previous year. As an assistant FH football coach last year, Branch watched the team from last year develop and decided that he wanted the role of leading the team. His biggest goal is to lead this team to great heights.
“The guys man, last year was the first year, seeing them guys get better, that’s what made me want to be the head coach¨.
Branch sees potential in his team and believes that all of them are going to be successful and he makes sure everyday that he pushes people to those levels even if players are having a bad day. Branch is always there to lift the team’s spirits back up regardless of the circumstances.
Outside of school, Branch enjoys football.
“Football man , football, football, and football¨.
Coach’s favorite food is chicken alfredo and his favorite movie is “Friday Night Lights”. His favorite book is Nick Saben, an autobiography on Nick Saben’s career. Branch is very excited to be at FH and looks forward to whatever it brings his way. He may be new, but his passion for FH runs deep and he is looking forward to his team for years to come. He has experienced challenges before and he is ready to take them all on again, no matter what it takes.
