YONKERS, N.Y. -- Pressed to produce a winning football program at a school that has struggled on the gridiron the last 10 years, Lincoln High coach Rob Bannister looked into his past to forge a brighter future.
"I am a Yonkers guy who played in a successful program at Gorton High School (under Don DeMatteo)," Bannister said. "I knew it was going to be tough here at Lincoln because the team hasn't had success. So, I wanted to have assistants from Yonkers to help me."
Bannister recruited former Yonkers players who could help build a team and came up with four old friends -- Lincoln star Nealon Greene (1994), Roosevelt High's Jeff DeLoatch II (1994), Gorton star Don Williamson (1986) and Roosevelt alumnus Mike Garcia (2006).
Greene, who was a star quarterback for four years at Lincoln before playing at Clemson University and them for a decade in the Canadian Football League, said he was enjoying being back on the field at his alma mater.
"We're getting there a little at a time," said Greene, who is the Lancers offensive coordinator. "These kids need discipline and have to learn to be consistent. I'm excited about being here to help. It's a lot of fun.'"
DeLoatch, who played for Section 1's all-time winningest coach Tony DeMatteo (now at Somers) and still is active playing recreation football, said he was just imparting the game he learned from his coaches as a teen.
"Coach DeMatteo (Tony) and his assistants were hard on us because they wanted to teach us that football takes dedication and discipline," DeLoatch said. "These kids can be good if they work hard. I'm so happy to be out here helping. We feel like kids again."
Garcia, who played for another Yonkers player and coach Tony Fiorilli at Roosevelt (now at Croton), said he sees improvement in the Lancers already.
"They look at you and don't understand when you yell and correct them at first," Garcia said. "But once they see that the coaches know what they are doing, they are more confident. You have to believe in the coaches and each other."
For Bannister, having defensive and offensive coaches to rely on helps him focus on the big picture.
"I can do so much more now that the guys (his assistants) are here," Bannister said. "And the kids respect the coaches. It's a good staff."
The Lancers open the season at home at 1:30 p.m. Saturday against Peekskill.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Yonkers and receive free news updates.