Longtime Walpole varsity football coach Barry Greener announced his retirement after 45 years of coaching. In his eight years as the head coach, Greener compiled an overall record of 73-27, a win percentage of .700, won the Bay State title three times and reached the semifinals three separate times.
“Coach Greener is the most knowledgeable football coach I know. Nobody works harder than Coach Greener. I had the pleasure of playing for him and coaching with him for a combined 19 years and enjoyed every minute. Walpole football will not be the same without him,” said assistant coach Steve Patterson.
In 1995 Greener was awarded the Massachusetts Assistant Coach of the Year Award for his contribution to the Rebel’s success. Years later, he was honored by the New England Patriots in 2014 when he was awarded as the New England Patriot coach of the week, after a 28-14 win over Medfield in the MIAA Division 3 Southwest final.
“He’s a real mentor you know. You see the guy every day in the weight room in the offseason and every day during the season,” said senior football captain Dan O’Leary. “You get to know him and he’s a great guy who helped me become a much better player. He is Rebel Football.”
Greener grew up in Weymouth, and upon graduating high school attended the University of Maine, where he played football and wrestling. He was named MVP of the football team following his senior year and was also captain of the wrestling team.
Greener began his coaching career as a graduate assistant for UMaine in 1971, where he coached tight ends for the football team and was an assistant coach for the wrestling team. He coached at UMaine for two years before accepting a teaching job at Walpole High.
Greener, a former history and gym teacher at Walpole, joined the Rebels coaching staff in 1972 when he became the head coach of the wrestling team and assistant coach of the football team. Greener spent time assisting head coaches John Lee and Danny Villa, where he helped the Rebels win seven Super Bowls and 14 Bay State league titles.
“For the past 45 years, Barry Greener has been an instrumental part of the historical success of the football program. Barry will forever be remembered for his professionalism, dedication, honesty and integrity. Barry let his coaches coach, his players play and always maintained a positive attitude regardless of the outcome of a game,” said assistant coach Bill O’Connell.
After retiring from coaching wrestling in 2002 and being inducted into the Massachusetts Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame, Greener spent seven more years as an assistant coach of the football team, before taking over the head coaching job in 2009.
“It was a very enjoyable and rewarding 45 years. The players and my fellow coaches made it that way,” said Barry Greener.
Barry Greener will join the company of Danny Villa and John Lee as the only head football coaches in Walpole High School since 1968. Thanks to these three coaches the Rebels football program has seven Super Bowl wins, 20 Bay State titles and an overall record of 418-96-5, with a winning percentage of .805.
