PEABODY — Seven years ago, Jim Quinlan was named the Bishop Fenwick boys hockey coach. He’s now stepped down from the helm.
“This was one of the hardest decisions I had to make in my life, but it is time,” Quinlan said. “I have been coaching hockey since 1984, and my love for the game of hockey remains the same as it did then, which is why this decision was so tough to make.”
Quinlan elaborated on the most important factor regarding his decision.
“My family was the top reason I decided to step away from coaching,” Quinlan said. “When you are coaching hockey, your family comes second, and that has been the case for too long. I met my wife at a hockey rink in 1983 and she has always supported my coaching career. I have been lucky enough to coach my son and I have watched my daughters grow up on the rink as well. It is time for me to spend real quality time with my family.”
When reflecting on his seven years, he felt at ease when thinking about some of the success he’s had.
“Dave Woods was the Fenwick athletic director who hired me and gave me this amazing opportunity seven years ago,” Quinlan said. “When I became head coach, I wanted Fenwick to become a program that made it to the state tournament, won a conference title, and [a] state championship. I accomplished two out of three of these goals, which I am glad was the case.”
When he first arrived, the program had made the state tournament just three times, and never won a conference title.
But largely in part to you know who, that all changed.
“We reached the state tournament four times and did win one CCL title, which I am proud of,” Quinlan said.
And if there’s one thing he’ll miss from the game, it’s his athletes.
“No matter how many games we won or lost, what I treasure the most are the relationships I made with the players, parents, and other fellow coaches,” Quinlan said. “Of course I wanted my teams to win as many games as they could, but the life lessons I shared with my players is what meant the most to me.”
Quinlan grabbed lunch with an ex-player this week – it’s just one of the relationships he says he’s lucky to have.
“Being able to grab lunch with an ex-player, reminisce about what we accomplished when we were together, and having a continued relationship after hockey is what I am so happy about,” Quinlan said.
When asked if he will ever go back to coaching, he said “I don’t think so.”
“Coaching hockey is a young man’s game now,” Quinlan said. “Even though the time is right to step away, that doesn’t mean I will not be involved in hockey. I do not know exactly what my involvement will look like, but I will continue to watch ex-players play, and, maybe, I will even get into scouting players with my son.”
Quinlan also coached seven years at Saugus High, where he accomplished a great deal. Quinlan left Saugus with six Northeastern Conference titles, three Division 2 North titles, and two Division 2 state championships.
“The love I have for the game of hockey will never wane,” Quinlan said.
Jerry DiStefano can be reached at [email protected]
