One year after serving as an assistant coach, John S. “Sandy” Gorham is now the man in charge of varsity football at Barrington High School.

He returns to the sidelines as head coach, the same position he held with the Eagles from 1985 to 1990. He replaces the popular and highly-successful Bill McCagney, who recently retired.

“I’m glad to be back,” said the likeable 63-year-old Gorham, who prior to coming back to Barrington, was a Hall of Fame coach at East Providence High School. “I love coaching. I love being around the kids.”

Barrington High School Athletic Director George Finn is happy to have Coach Gorham back to lead the Eagles.

“We are pleased to have Coach Gorham return as our head coach for the football program,” he said. “His knowledge of the game, our program, and the community, make him a great fit to lead the Eagles. The returning players are excited to have him as their new head coach. As difficult as it was to know that Bill McCagney would not be returning after his tenure of 25 years, the team is prepared to move forward and work hard for Coach Gorham.”

Sandy Gorham moves up to the top post on Barrington’s coaching staff following a blue ribbon career at East Providence High. During his two decades at the helm of the Townies, he was named Rhode Island Division 1 Football Coach of the Year four times (1995, 1997, 1999 and 2003), Words Unlimited Rhode Island Male Coach of the Year in 1997, and Rhode Island Athletic Directors’ Male Coach of the Year in 2003.

He was also selected Rhode Island representative to the NFL Conference in 2007, and was selected Rhode Island Coach of the Year USA poll in 2013.

Coach Gorham, a 1975 URI graduate, has also been inducted into several Halls of Fame, including the RI Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 2003, the Providence Gridiron Club Hall of Fame in 2008, the East Providence High School Hall of Fame in 2013, and the ESPN “The Rivalry Series” Hall of Fame (2013). He is also a member of the Rhode Island Aquatic Hall of Fame (1994).

Following in the footsteps of his good friend and fellow coach, Bill McCagney, Sandy Gorham knows he’ll have his work cut out in keeping the Eagles flying high among all Division I schools in the RI Interscholastic League. Admittedly, it will be a challenge this year with more than 20 seniors having graduated and only two returning starters on offense and defense.

“The kids have been great,” he noted. “They know what lies ahead. They’re excited about the chance to play.”

Luckily, Coach Gorham has some quality assistant coaches at his disposal.

Steve Lenz is returning along with Jim Anderson and several other volunteer coaches. Adam Toman, former Barrington High School and Bridgewater State University star, is new to the coaching staff and will handle the offensive and defensive lines.

“He’s a personal trainer and brings energy and enthusiasm to the program,” the coach noted.

Under any other circumstance, Coach Gorham conceivably would have discarded the notion of coming back to Barrington to coach the varsity, had it not been for his 12-year-old son, Luke, who will be entering seventh grade at the Barrington Middle School.

“My son influenced me to take this job,” he admitted. ”I had coached my sons, John and Ryan, at East Providence, and Luke asked me if I was going to coach him. When he found out that Bill had resigned, he asked me to take the job.”

It didn’t take Sandy long to make his intentions known.

“Football has always played a key role in my life,” said the former East Providence Townies boss, who in his 20 years at the helm, coached the Townies to seven Super Bowl appearances, including five Super Bowl championships. After 40 years, he still teaches health and physical education at the school.

Along the way, he coached five All-State quarterbacks at EP, and more than 30 All-Staters in all, including Jamie Silva, who went on to stardom at Boston College, and then played with the Indianapolis Colts in the National Football League.

“He was probably the greatest player I ever coached,” said Coach Gorham. “Jamie was extremely dedicated to the game of football. He had a passion and desire for the game like few others.”

In addition, Sandy has had to deal with family health issues. It hasn’t been easy, but he has persevered. He has also excelled as coach of the Eagles’ swim and softball teams. He loves keeping busy and working with kids.

Walking around the football field area and relaxing inside a quiet spot in the school cafeteria, Coach Gorham talked about the future and the challenges which lie ahead. He knew the cupboard would be a little bare, with only two returning starters, but was encouraged by the fact that reinforcements were on the horizon.

“We have some good young players coming up down the road,” he said, smiling. “The attitude of the kids we already have is great.”

“I’m here for the long haul with my eyes wide open,” he concluded. “I hope we get judged fairly.”

— By Manuel C. "Manny" Correira