SWAMPSCOTT — It’s a full-circle moment for Paul Moran, who has been named Swampscott’s boys varsity basketball coach, replacing Jason Knowles. Moran, a 1985 SHS graduate who scored 2,043 points before the introduction of the 3-point line, is eager to come back home.
Moran makes the move from Marblehead High, where he coached the girls varsity team.
“I loved it over in Marblehead . . . the whole gang over there was great,” he said. “I wanted the Swampscott boys job and I’m happy I got it. I’m really excited about it and ready to get going.”
Moran coached Swampscott’s girls basketball team from 1998-99 before helming the Danvers girls from 2000-04. He then coached Swampscott’s boys team from 2005-07. Moran spent time in Saugus from 2008-17 before heading to Marblehead.
“I got to coach in a lot of different towns and I’m just really happy,” Moran said. “I had (Swampscott’s) Fran York as an AD years ago and he said it best: ‘No matter where you coach, in what town, the kids are great.’ Between my son (Matthew) and me, we are going to foster a culture of Big Blue pride. Great things are going to happen and we look forward to the challenges. We want to continue to strengthen the school community.”
Although Moran recently wore red and black, he still attended Swampscott’s games and kept an eye on his alma mater.
“They had an outstanding year this winter. Jason Knowles did a great job over the years. They lose a few kids, so it might be a little bit of a rebuild, but that’s fine,” Moran said. “I think we just have to get there and see what we have. Salem is the team to catch in our division — they’re state champs. (Coach) Tommy Doyle does a great job over there.”
Moran spoke highly of his time coaching the Magicians.
“I loved coaching those Marblehead girls. They were competitive and played hard. They did everything we asked them to do and more,” he said. “I don’t have any complaints. Those kids gave it their all. Marblehead girls are set up well for the future. They have a great team coming back, so whoever gets that job is going to be lucky.”
But for now, Moran returns to where it all started.
“I don’t think people realize what (Superintendent) Jason Calichman and Principal Emily Zotto have done in such a short amount of time. There’s a buzz about Swampscott and it’s exciting,” he said. “My son, Matthew, will be the freshman coach and academic advisor. He’s an eighth-grade middle school math teacher in Swampscott.”
