Hogan steps down at English

BOSTON – The emotion coming out of English coach Fred Hogan was about as raw as it could be.His girls had just lost to Braintree, 59-41, in the Division 1 state semifinal at the TD Garden, and he was about to let everyone in on the secret he and his players have kept since before the MIAA tournament started.?I?ve coached my last game at Lynn English,” said the nine-year veteran who brought the Bulldog program to its highest of heights. “I?m glad to be going out with these girls. This is a special group. I?m heartbroken for them, but I?m so proud of what they accomplished.”Hogan gave no specific reason for his decision to retire except to say he?s looking for other opportunities and challenges in coaching. However, he did say that part of the reason for his decision was that he hoped to watch his son, Freddie Jr., play in college (the younger Hogan was on the English boys team).The Bulldogs finished the regular season at 22-0 and then won three more in the tournament – over Billerica, Woburn and Central Catholic – before falling to a Braintree team whose front court went 6?2″ (Molly Reagan), 6?0″ (Bridget Herlihy) and 5?11″ (Brianna Herlihy).?It?s been an unbelievable run,” he said, “But right now, my heart and soul hurts for them. Those girls are really hurting right now.”Hogan took over a program that was coming off several consecutive losing seasons. The Bulldogs were 4-16 in his first year ? and then made the tournament eight straight times, including this season. This is the first time the Bulldogs had ever made it to the Garden.His three captains – Diondra Woumn, Catherine Stinson and Deidra Newson – were just as upset about losing Hogan as a coach and mentor as they were losing the game.?I?m really sorry we couldn?t do this for him,” said Woumn, who is heading to Franklin Pierce University in the fall. “He?s been much more than a coach. He?s watched me play since I was little.”?He?s been everything to me,” said Newson, who played much of the game with an injured left shoulder. “It?s been such an influence on my life. There?s no way I?d be playing basketball now if it weren?t for him.”?He doesn?t just preach winning,” said Newson, who will be attending Emmanuel College. “He preaches school and family. And we were a real family this season.”Hogan said that 25 of his former players are either attending college or have graduated. Including in that is Jeanette Anderson, a senior at Caldwell College, who was recently named the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference?s Player of the Year.?Twenty-five kids,” said Hogan. “And after we beat Central Saturday, I heard from almost every one of them. A lot of them came to our house ? and the ones who couldn?t called. They were so happy for us. That?s why this has been so special.”As for future plans, “I?ll be coaching somewhere,” he said. “It?s in my blood. I love being a coach.”Hogan will also step down as an assistant football coach for English as well.