After over a decade at the helm of East Hampton High School football, Head Coach Joe McKee is retiring. When he started 11 years ago, the Bonac football program could not consistently put a varsity team on the field. This past year, they made their first semifinals appearance since 1994.
“I took it over in 2015 and it was in shambles. We got it going for two years, and then the floor fell out from under us in 2017. We had to go to a couple of J.V. teams for two years, and then we brought it back, going 1-7, 2-6, fighting through everything to this season,” McKee said.
“I’ve been coaching for 29 years and this was by far — and I’ve had some really good teams and a lot of fun — but this is by far the most fun year I’ve ever had. Just a great, great group of kids. Really nice boys, tough, and an absolute joy to coach. I thank them for everything they did for me and the pleasure they gave me this year.”
The pleasure was all East Hampton’s. Kathy Masterson, the district’s athletic director, was effusive in thanking the entire McKee family for their commitment not just to football, but to the entire community.
“The McKee family has been second to none in support of East Hampton,” Masterson said. “What Joey has done in bringing football back to the East End is a model that everyone should look up to. It’s not only Joey; it’s a community that raises these teams up, and he’s the one who brought this community back.”
While it’s never easy to step away, McKee appears to have chosen the perfect time. At school, he leaves a football program that is still riding the high of last season’s playoff run. At home, his daughter, Colleen, graduates this spring and heads off to college in the fall.
“Joey and I have been talking about this for the last couple of years,” Masterson said. “His daughter is a senior this year. He wants to be able to go and see her at school and do all of the parent things that are hard to do when you’re as dedicated as he is to our community — not just football, but everything in East Hampton.”
The Bonackers need not worry about their coaching situation next season. Jaron Greenidge, the current defensive coordinator, will take over.
“Jaron comes with a wealth of knowledge and has been part of the program for a number of years now,” Masterson said. “He’s a Riverhead grad and played football there when Riverhead was very dominant. Jaron and his family have a huge love of football. He’s going to pick up the ball and keep running with it.”
Greenidge is also the assistant varsity coach for South Fork Lacrosse, a high school program that combines players from Southampton to Montauk. He’ll be able to continue in that role as he steps into Coach McKee’s shoes — enormous ones to fill.
“I wish Joey endless Saturdays watching college football, Sundays watching pro football, and I’m hoping and praying that on Fridays and Saturdays he’ll come back and watch us,” Masterson said affectionately. “I just wish him all the best that this life has to offer, because he so deserves it.”
