COACH PROFILES

coaches

HEAD COACH PAT WARD ’93

SEASONS COACHING AT ST. JOHN’S: 22

Coach Ward took over the Cadet football program in January 2020. During his inaugural season (spring 2021 due to Covid), the Cadets amassed a 3-2 record. Ward has provided coaching support for the Cadets over the past 22 years and has served as assistant director of athletics for the past eight years. A 1993 graduate of St. John’s, Ward is a member of St. John’s Athletic Hall of Fame. He comes from a long line of St. John’s graduates, including his grandfather, Robert Cady ’37; uncle, Mike Cady ’69; cousins, Frank Cady ’42 and Ralph Hawkins ’53; and brother Mike Ward ’06, who also coaches for the SJC football program. As a student, Ward anchored a Cadet football team that advanced to the championship game, and was a two-time All-American, two-time All-Met, and two-time All-League player. He was presented with the St. John’s Mush Dubofsky Award, recognizing the player who made the biggest contribution to the football team. Ward went on to enjoy a stellar career at the University of Maryland as a four-year starter, spending one year as a defensive tackle and three years as an offensive guard. The Terps recognized Ward with the prestigious A.V. Williams Award, presented to the football player who demonstrates outstanding sportsmanship. Ward began coaching for St. John’s in 2000 with tremendous success. He’s coached 24 first team all-league linemen, 11 first or second team All-Met linemen, six All-Americans, three NFL players, and was selected as an assistant coach for the 2013 Under Armour All-American Game. In 2012, he established the Ward Line Academy, through which he works with linemen in grades six and higher in a one-on-one setting. Coach Ward looks forward to building on the positive momentum in his first full season as head coach.

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR/ ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH MIKE WARD ’06

SEASONS COACHING AT ST. JOHN’S: 10

Prior to joining the St. John’s staff in 2012, Coach Ward started every game (48 total) for all four years at the University of Akron as a guard and a center. He was named team captain his senior year and went on to play for both the Orlando Predators and the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League. A two-time first team AllConference lineman at St. John’s, Coach Ward received the MushDubofsky Award as a senior, was named the Old Spice Red Zone Player of the Year for DC, was selected as a 2006 All-Met player by The Washington Post, and was chosen as team captain. A two-way player, he achieved the remarkable feat of leading the team in tackles from his defensive line position. During Coach Ward’s six years as the varsity defensive line coach from 2013 to 2019, he coached six first team All-Met defensive lineman (Eric Assoua ’15, Terrell Lewis ’16-Los Angeles Rams, Tyree Johnson ’17, Cam Goode ’18, Tremon Morris-Brash ’19, and Mekhail Sherman ’20). Coach Ward has also worked with 14 Division 1 BCS players (Assoua, Lewis, Johnson, Goode, Cam Spence ’17, Kofi Wardlow ’17, Caleb Okechuckwu ’18, Morris-Brash, Sherman, Greg Hudgins ’20, Tre Williams ’20, Taizse Johnson ’21, and Kenjuan Manuel ’21). In his first year as defensive coordinator, during the 2021 spring Covid season, Ward’s defense gave up 65 total points in a five-game span, or an average of 13 PPG. Coach Ward expects this defense to build upon last year’s success with the return of nine of 11 starters.

ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH TERRENCE BYRD

SEASONS COACHING AT ST. JOHN’S: 2

Coach Byrd has more than 20 years of coaching experience, primarily at the youth and high school level. He is also president of the Maryland Heat, a nationally recognized youth organization. His grassroots foundation has produced some of the top football student–athlete prospects in the country over the last decade, including some of St. John’s most recognized Cadets. Coach Byrd spent 20 years with United Health Care, where he was a senior project manager specializing in transition and process change management, earning several sigma certifications. Byrd values family and is the father of five children (Tyler, Tyreik, Madisyn, Morgyn, and Trentyn), who are his pride and joy. Coach Byrd’s connection with and development of players at the grassroots level has been unmatched to include many league and national titles. A few of Coach Byrd’s most distinguished strengths are mentorship, team building, and his ability to build a family atmosphere founded on discipline, hard work, and determination.

coaches

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR ANTWON BAILEY ’08

SEASONS COACHING AT ST. JOHN’S: 2

Coach Bailey was a two-time team captain, three-time offensive MVP, first team All-Met, and the DC Gatorade Player of the Year. He continued his playing career at Syracuse University and was a team captain and first team All-Big East performer. The all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards for a running back at Syracuse University, Bailey ranks 16th on the SU career rushing record list. After graduating from Syracuse, Bailey signed a free agent contract with the Washington Redskins in April 2012 andparticipated in all of the offseason sessions, the rookie camp, the training camp, and the preseason games. He was later named to the practice squad. In the summer of 2013, Coach Bailey served as a Bill Walsh–intern for the Buffalo Bills and in the same year, began coaching at St. John’s, taking on the roles of offensive coordinator and running back coach. He then spent three years with the program before moving on to Sidwell Friends and Fairmont Heights in the same capacity.

WIDE RECEIVER/ FOOTBALL OPERATIONS SHELDON DUNBAR

SEASONS COACHING AT ST. JOHN’S: 1

Coach Dunbar was raised in Washington, DC, and Prince Georges County, MD. An alumnus of Largo High School and a member of the 1995 Maryland State championship team, Coach Dunbar attended Bethune Cookman College, earning a bachelor’s degree in physical education and criminal justice. After a successful playing career for Bethune Cookman Football, Dunbar played for the Daytona Speedy Semi-Pro football team, then started coaching youth football with the PG Stags AAU football team as head coach and director of football operations/vice president of football league, where he won several championships and Coach of Year awards. Coach Dunbar later went on to Parkdale High School in Riverdale, MD, where he was the assistant coach from 2007 to 2011, serving as running back and special teams coach, and from 2013 to 2015, was an assistant coach at DeMatha Catholic High School.

DEFENSIVE BACK DERRICK BUTLER

SEASONS COACHING AT ST. JOHN’S: 2

Born in Waldorf, MD, Derrick Butler is a graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College, where he was a team captain and started at free safety. During his sophomore campaign, Butler caught a game-clinching interception in the final two minutes against the University of Charleston. During his senior campaign, he recorded another interception and was one of the team’s leading tacklers. Butler attended Maurice J. McDonough High School in Charles County, MD, where he led the Rams as an All-County quarterback. While at West Virginia Wesleyan, Butler earned a bachelor’s degree in computer information science with a minor in political science.

DEFENSIVE LINE TONY GALLEMORE

SEASONS COACHING AT ST. JOHN’S: 2

Coach Tony Gallemore is entering his second season as defensive line coach at St. John’s. Prior to SJC, he coached eight seasons in the WCAC at DeMatha Catholic High School, where he won four WCAC championships and had the opportunity to coach and mentor great young men and football players including Deonte Holden (CFL: Edmonton Oilers) and Chase Young (NFL: Washington Football Team). A native of New Jersey and a graduate of Virginia State University, Gallemore also serves as a school leader for a DC public charter school and has a love and passion for educating children.

coaches

RUNNING BACK OLANDIS GARY

SEASONS COACHING AT ST. JOHN’S: 3

Born in Washington, DC, Olandis Gary is a former NFL running back who played for the Denver Broncos from 1999 to 2002 and the Detroit Lions from 2003 to 2004. Gary is an alumnus of Riverdale Baptist School in Upper Marlboro, MD, and the University of Georgia, from which he graduated in 1999. While at Georgia, Gary was team captain, voted second team All-SEC, and earned the title of Offensive Player of the Game in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.

DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE RECRUITING RASHOD GILLESPIE

SEASONS COACHING AT ST. JOHN’S: 19

Ccoach Gillespie served as the offensive coordinator at Calvin Coolidge High School, his alma mater. As a player at Coolidge, he was named the Offensive Player of the Year for the DCIAA in 1993. He ranked first in rushing that season in DC and was given All-Met honorable mention. Gillespie then attended West Virginia University where he was a standout on special teams. He later transfered to Glenville State College, where he earned all-conference honors in 1998 and played in the National All-Star College Football Classic. Gillespie has held several positions at St. John’s including strength and conditioning coach, linebacker coach, and running back back. Known for aggresive and physical defensives, one of the high points of his career was in 2013 when St. John’s addvanced to the championship game allowing only 11 points per game, by far the best in the league. He is currently an educator in the St. John’s Benilde Program. He and his wife Lakeeda live in D.C. with their daughters Aniya, Gianni, and Marley and son Lathan.

LINEBACKER JAMISON HEDGEPETH

SEASONS COACHING AT ST. JOHN’S: 2

Coach Hedgepeth begins his second season at St. John’s as linebacker coach. Prior to SJC, Hedgepeth coached linebackers at Eastern High School (DC) where he coached Mike Terry to All-County first team honors. As a collegiate, Hedgepeth was a four-year letterman for North Carolina A&T and amassed 180 tackles, 22 TFL, and 5 Sacks over 44 starts. A native of Fort Washington, MD, Hedgepeth played under MD State Hall of Fame Coach George Earley for three seasons and was an honorable mention All-County player.

OFFENSIVE LINE DEONTE HOLDEN

SEASONS COACHING AT ST. JOHN’S: 2

Coach Holden is a native of Washington, DC and a graduate of Cardozo High school. He attended junior college at Montgomery College of Rockville, where he played football. After his career at Montgomery College, he continued in the Arena Football League playing with the Richmond Speed as well as the DC Armor. From 2010 to 2019, Holden coached the offensive line at DeMatha High School and was part of the coaching staff that won four straight WCAC championships from 2013 to 2016.

coaches

HEAD JV COACH DAVID “COACH TY”JOHNSON

SEASONS COACHING AT ST. JOHN’S: 9

Coach Ty enters his ninth season at St John’s, his fifth as a varsity defensive coach, and fourth as JV defensive coordinator. Previously a coach with the St John’s freshmen staff, he also served as co-offensive coordinator. Prior to St. John’s, Johnson coached for two seasons at his alma mater, Paul Laurence Dunbar Senior High School in DC and was on the ’92 DCIAA Championship Staff. In 1998, he started coaching youth football at Butler Wyatt Clubhouse #2 (1998–2005) and later at Beacon House (2006–2015) where he won the Pop Warner Super Bowl in 2010. From 1998 to 2015, he posted 18 consecutive winning seasons, and for 14 of the 18 seasons, his teams were champions or runners-up in AAU, AYF, or Pop Warner, city, regional, and national championship games. While attending Paul Laurence Dunbar Senior High School in DC he played as a defensive back, running back, and slot receiver. He went on to the University of the District of Columbia, where he played two seasons. Johnson graduated from the UDC, earned graduate degrees from Southeastern University and George Washington University, and later a Ph.D. from Virginia Commonwealth University. He is currently an executive manager and senior cyber security subject matter expert supporting the federal government, and lives in DC with his family.

WIDE RECEIVER ED LEE

SEASONS COACHING AT ST. JOHN’S: 5

Coach Lee was born in Washington, DC, and is an alumnus of Wilson High School, where was an All-Met defensive tackle. After high school, Lee attended South Carolina State University, graduated with honors, and in 1982 was drafted by the Lions. As a wide receiver, Lee was named to SC State’s 100 Greatest Football Players in school history and was inducted into the SC State Athletic Hall of Fame. With the Lions, Lee suffered a career-ending knee injury that spawned a career in physical therapy. In 1988, he graduated from Howard University and has been a prominent physical therapist in Silver Spring, MD, for more than 30 years. He coached freshman wide receivers from 2013 to 2016, and is currently a multi-site manager for NovaCare Rehabilitation. Coach Lee and his wife Susan have three children Courtney, Ed, and Kendall. Ed, Jr., is an SJC graduate (2017) and has a school record of three TD receptions in the 2016 WCAC championship against DeMatha.

DEFENSIVE BACK GARRET MILLER

SEASONS COACHING AT ST. JOHN’S: 2

Born in Fairfax, VA, Garret Miller is a former Division II coach, who played wide receiver at Ashland University (OH) from 2014 to 2017. While at Ashland, Miller was part of two conference championship teams and one undefeated regular season. His 2017 graduating class was the was the most successful in program history. After graduating from Ashland, Miller was a graduate assistant coaching tight ends at Tusculum University (TN) where he coached two All-Conference tight ends. Following graduation, Miller accepted a position at Tiffin University (OH) coaching cornerbacks where he was part of the first conference championship in program history, beating Tiffin’s rival for the first time in 30 years.

OFFENSIVE LINE JOE PETRAIUOLO

SEASONS COACHING AT ST. JOHN’S: 6

Coach Petraiuolo came to St. John’s from Cleveland, OH, where he played football at Mayfield High School. Petraiuolo graduated from the University of Dayton, where he continued his football career. He specializes in offensive and defensive line play. Petraiuolo also teaches Social Studies at St. John’s.

coaches

WIDE RECEIVER PHIL SAVOY

SEASONS COACHING AT ST. JOHN’S: 19

Coach Savoy returns for his 19th season as the varsity wide receivers coach. After graduating from Carroll High School, Coach Savoy went on to play wide receiver for the University of Colorado, where he ranked second in all-time receptions. He also set a university record with eight catches in a single quarter. As a senior, he was an All-Big 12 selection, and after being drafted by the Arizona Cardinals, spent time with the Baltimore Ravens as a special teams player and later with the Seattle Seahawks and St. Louis Rams. After his contributions to the NFL, he played in the Arena Football League. As a coach at St. John’s, he has mentored several players who have gone on to successful college careers including Marcus Lee ’04, Towson’s all-time leading receiver and Rakim Jarrett, 2019 All Met Player of the Year (University of MD). Several of Coach Savoy’s players have also been selected as first-team all-conference, including Scotty Washington ’15 (Wake Forest). Coach Savoy and his wife Kristina live in Washington, DC, with their children, Chynna, Malachi, and Sydney.

QUARTERBACK JABALI SMITH

SEASONS COACHING AT ST. JOHN’S: 7

Jabali Smith joined St. John’s as the varsity quarterback coach in 2015. He works alongside Coach Casamento in developing the varsity, JV, and freshman quarterbacks. As a student, Smith was a first-team all-conference selection as quarterback for Eastern High School in Washington, DC, before moving on to play quarterback at Bowie State. He later coached 2017 All-Met player of the year Kevin Doyle (William and Mary). Smith also coaches at Gonzaga High School.

OFFENSIVE LINE PETER WHITE ‘09

SEASONS COACHING AT ST. JOHN’S: 8

Coach White came to St. John’s after his college career at Temple University, where he was a starter on the offensive line. He transferred to Temple after graduating from Maryland, where he played in a total of 23 games during three seasons. As a student at St. John’s, White was a key member of the Cadet program, earning a starting position on the offensive line in his very first game as a freshman, and a two-way starter for his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons. White was also a three-time first-team All-WCAC performer on the offensive line, and during his senior season, he recorded 63 pancake blocks and was selected as an Under Armour All-American, playing in the ESPN game the following January. He was also team captain and received the Mush Dubofksy Award.