River Ridge's JV coach takes varsity position

Mike McHugh, with the Royal Knights for two years, fills the boys soccer coach opening left by Steve Doyle.

By DAVID MURPHY, Times Staff Writer
Published August 22, 2007

When Mike McHugh first arrived on the River Ridge's campus two years ago, then-boys soccer coach Steve Doyle pulled him aside and let him know he was looking for an eventual replacement.

So when Doyle sold his house ahead of schedule earlier this summer, the scent of regime change wafted through the thick gulf air.

"I told him when he came on board with me, eventually, it's going to get turned over toward him," Doyle said. "It just happened sooner rather than later."

The change officially came to fruition Tuesday as River Ridge hired McHugh, formerly the head coach of the school's junior varsity team, to take over a boys soccer program several believe is on the verge of establishing itself as a county and district power.

At just 27 years old, McHugh is on the young side for a varsity coach. But during his two years under Doyle's tutelage, he proved himself capable of the job. Last year, the Royal Knights' JV team finished 13-3. This year, several players from that squad will be counted on to bolster a varsity team that features just two seniors.

"Steve didn't leave the cupboard bare," said McHugh, who graduated from high school in suburban Philadelphia and played club soccer at Florida State.

The Royal Knights finished just above .500 last season, but with its top two goal scorers returning in Blake Monaghan and Eric Karcinski, McHugh said the team should contend for a district title in 2007-08.

"We should do what we should have done last year," McHugh said.

Doyle, who relocated to North Carolina and is hoping to get back into coaching there, campaigned for McHugh to get the job after he turned in his resignation three weeks ago. Though the departure caught River Ridge athletic director Jack Homko by surprise, Doyle said he thinks the transition will be a smooth one.

"I think it's going to be a good thing for him, and for the school," Doyle said.

David Murphy can be reached at dmurphy@sptimes.com or 352 848-1407.

[Last modified August 21, 2007, 22:04:39]