Newport hires Boone

Richard Boone knows what’s expected of him as Newport High School’s varsity football coach. He’s expected to lead the Tigers to a state championship.

That’s what Larry McElreavy did last season, when he guided Newport to the Division III title. McElreavy resigned following the 2015 season, relocated because of a new job and is now the head coach at Pembroke Academy. Boone was hired as McElreavy’s replacement last week.

“We’re a football town,” Boone said. “We have that football identity. That’s our primary sport and the kids look forward to playing.”

Boone, a 52-year-old Newport resident, graduated from Stevens High School in 1981. He played football for Tom Fowler at Stevens. Fowler was an assistant coach on McElreavy’s staff last season, but is no longer coaching in the program.

This is Boone’s first job as a varsity head coach. He spent two years as an assistant under former Newport coach Larry Carle, served as a freshman coach and a varsity assistant at Stevens and coached middle school football in Newport. He also serves as an assistant coach for Newport’s varsity wrestling program.

Boone was a finalist for Newport’s varsity football job when McElreavy was hired in 2015.

Newport returns 10 seniors who have significant varsity experience.

“This is my first head coaching experience, but I have a good football background,” Boone said. “I’m definitely looking forward to the challenge. There’s big shoes to fill, but I feel I’m up to the task.”

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