Charles McGuinness (1930-1938)
Charlie McGuinness was a 1927 graduate of the University of Washington where he was a member of a championship crew team under legendary coach Russell "Rusty" Callow. During the 1920's and 1930's the University of Washington crew program was the best in the US. He was hired as head football coach without any experience at Natick, intensely studied the game and was successful at both Natick and Abington, before coming to Marblehead as head football, basketball and baseball coach in 1930.
At MHS, Coach McGuinness recorded a 58-30-10 football record over nine seasons, winning the initial Northeastern Conference Championship in 1934 and repeating in 1935, 1936 and 1938. His teams never lost to Swampscott (7-0-2). He brought attention to the Marblehead football program through a modern razzle-dazzle offense, well ahead of its time, with wingbacks in motion and an unbalanced line, which earned the nickname "Magicians". In addition, his teams played several intersectional games, including trips to Florida, NY, and Texas.McGuinness left MHS to go to Staten Island High School. The late Bill Peabody reported that "His departure from the local scene was the end of a remarkable era for North Shore football". Charles McGuinness died at age 81 in 1985.
Herman Hussey (1948-1958)
Herm Hussey had a distinguished football career, playing on championship teams at both Lynn English and Fordham. He served in the US Army and earned a master's degree before coming to Marblehead as an assistant coach to Dave Morey in 1947.
He became head coach the next year, and in the new United Spanish War Veterans Memorial Stadium, Coach Hussey's teams went on to win the Northeastern Conference Championship in 1948, 1949 and 1950. Memorable victories included a 19-13 victory over Saugus on the next-to-last play of the game in 1948; the ending (13-0) of Class A Champion Beverly's sixteen game unbeaten record in 1949; and the last victory (13-0) over Amesbury before it began a 31-game unbeaten streak in 1950.
Coach Hussey's teams were noted for their aggressive offense, which included spread formations, and solid defense. Another Northeastern Conference title was added by the 7-1-1 1956 team, before retiring after the 1958 season with a 50-44-7 record at MHS.
Herman Hussey retired as a MHS teacher in 1968.
Noel Reebenacker (1959-1969)
Noel Reebenacker began his football coaching career as an assistant coach for Charlie O'Rourke at the University of Massachusetts, where he had been a Little All-American quarterback in 1953. Noel Reebenacker was a walk-on quarter-back who earned three varsity letters in football. He earned All-Yankee Conference honors in 1952 and was named to the Little All-America Team in 1953. Upon the completion of his UMass career, Reebenacker had established school single-season records for passing yards (1,865), completions (132), touchdown passes (20) and total offense yards (2,080), in addition to recording the longest kickoff return in school history with a 102-yard scamper against Springfield College in 1951.
He came to Marblehead as head football coach in 1959. During the next eleven seasons, the Magicians posted a 55 win - 38 loss - 6 tie record, with seven winning seasons and two Northeastern Conference Championships.
His MHS teams were noted for their pass-oriented wide-open offense, scoring 1,678 points over 99 games. The 1960 Championship team scored a MHS record 276 points in nine games, behind the then record 25 touchdown passes of Tom Manning. Seven of his players are already installed in the Hall of Fame - Dan "Jake" Healey, Tom Manning, Bob Radcliffe, Ken Eldridge, Daynor Prince, John Wolfgram and Bob Blood.
Following his tenure in Marblehead, Reebenacker was an assistant to Roy Norden at Beverly for two years. He subsequently left teaching and coaching for a successful career in real estate management. (see gallery below)
Alex Kulevich (Head Coach 1970-1980)
Alex Kulevich became Marblehead head football coach in 1970, following a successful career at Bishop Fenwick, where he initiated the football program. He earlier was a three-sport star at Maynard High School and Worcester Academy, and a starting end at Boston College.
He coached MHS for eleven seasons through 1980, recording five winning seasons and two 5-5 years, and an overall record of 54-52. His biggest win was a 20-12 upset on Thanksgiving Day, 1973, ending Swampscott's seven-year, 38-game winning streak, and giving the Magicians their last share of a Conference title. He succeeded the late Jack Knight as the Director of Athletics in 1979 and served in this capacity for 22 years, overseeing a major and successful expansion of the sports program. He retired
in 2000.
Alex Kulevich is a member of the Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame. (see gallery below)
Bruce Jordon (Head Coach 1983-1995)
Bruce Jordan came to Marblehead in 1965 as a physical education teacher and assistant football coach. He previously was a Swampscott High School football captain under Stan Bondelevitch and received a football scholarship to the University of Massachusetts. He was an assistant football coach for Noel Reebenacker from 1965 through 1969 and under Alex Kulevich from 1970 through 1979.
He was named head football coach in 1983 and served in that capacity through 1995. His 65 wins are easily the most recorded in MHS history. He has a combined 28 years of coaching football at Marblehead. Overall he coached 48 individual sports seasons of football, hockey and track and retired after teaching physical education at Marblehead for 36 years.
1926 Crew at University of Washington. McGuinness is on far right.
1926 University of Washington crew. McGuinness is first rower (stroke seat) in front of coxswain.
Coach Alex Kulevich played End at Boston College 1955-1958
1926 Crew at University of Washington. McGuinness is on far right.