The way Jim Foley looks at it, there is never an ideal time to step away from something you are as passionate about as he is about coaching. So it wasn’t an easy decision for him to retire as varsity girls soccer coach at St. Mary’s, a position he has filled with distinction for 25 years.
“I had a great run, definitely more ups than downs,” said Foley, who compiled a 298-126-26 record as coach of the Spartans. “I’ve been thinking about it the last few years. Twenty-five years is a long time to be in one place. This was a good time to do it.”
Foley, a Swampscott High School and Salem State University graduate (bachelor’s and master’s), came to St. Mary’s after serving as an assistant coach at Lynn Classical and Marblehead for a total of seven years. He has been a teacher in Lynn since 1993, currently serving as a physical education teacher at Pickering Middle School.
“This is a big loss for St. Mary’s,” said Athletic Director Jeff Newhall, for whom Foley serves as an assistant coach on the girls basketball team, a role in which he will continue. “Jim Foley is the type of person and the type of coach you want working with student-athletes. He is in it for all the right reasons.”
Foley said one of the reasons he stayed at St. Mary’s so long is the support he received from Newhall and other administrators, including Head of School Dr. John F. Dolan, Associate Head of School David Angeramo and Assistant Head of School Jim Ridley.
“The leadership at St. Mary’s is second to none,” Foley said, “from Dr. Dolan on down. And Jeff Newhall is the best athletic director in the state.”
Foley’s 2015 team won the MIAA Div. 4 North title, with his daughter, Jenna, on the squad. Jenna and her twin, Erin, graduated from St. Mary’s in 2019. Foley’s wife, Jackie, is assistant principal of the middle school division and, as of last week, a St. Mary’s Hall of Famer.
“The school means a lot to our family,” Foley said. “Jackie has been there for 25 years and has been a constant source of support for me. Our daughters received a great education.” Jenna is a teacher in the elementary division.
Foley, who also serves as game director for the Agganis All-Star Soccer Games, was well respected among his peers.
“Jim Foley is all class and integrity,” said Austin Prep coach Tim Phelan, whose teams played St. Mary’s every year until Austin left the Catholic Central League for the NEPSAC. “He was more than an excellent soccer coach. His teams played hard and tough, but always with a high level of sportsmanship. Jim’s players were active volunteers in the community and that starts at the top.”
Foley said he will miss the players and the relationships with other coaches and officials, but not necessarily the long bus rides. Most of all, he will miss representing St. Mary’s, something in which he took great pride.
“St. Mary’s is a wonderful place. The small school on Tremont Street does pretty well,” he said, noting that at least one Spartans team has won a state championship for 17 consecutive years. “The school has really been built up. Luckily, it had the right people behind it.”
And the right people on the front lines – people like Jim Foley.
