O'Neill steps down at Ashland
Globe correspondent Brendan Hall relays the following:
The O’Neill era with the Ashland High boys’ hockey program has come to a close.
After five seasons behind the Clocker bench, including a sensational 18-1-2 run this winter, coach Steve O’Neill officially submitted his resignation last month.
O’Neill, who finished 55-38-4 overall with the Clockers, said he was concerned with the overall focus direction of the program.
‘‘It had nothing to do with the talent, it was the overall attitude of the team as a whole,’’ he said. ‘‘The obligation wasn’t what it should be. It’s gotta be about school, being a student-athlete. We struggled with getting that point across, and I think we need to move in a different direction.’’
His son, Barrett, who as a junior was named Most Valuable Player of the Tri-Valley League after registering 22 goals and 28 assists this winter, has decided to transfer to the Dexter School in Brookline. Also a promising right-handed pitcher, he will be reclassified as a junior, and expects to play both hockey and baseball at the private school.
The Clockers finished the regular season 18-0-2 before losing to Scituate, 2-1, in the first round of the Division 3 South sectional tournament .
Ashland High athletic director Naomi Martin said she expects to have a new coach in place by Friday, after holding final interviews tomorrow.
O’Neill, who guided the Ashland girls’ softball team to the Division 2 state title last season and has the Clockers off to a 7-0 start this spring, said he intends to return to coach on the diamond next spring.
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