Joe Perry Stepping Down As Football Head Coach, Players React

Nantucket High School football head coach Joe Perry is stepping down after four seasons as the head coach and nine seasons with the program.
In a statement to his players, Perry said “After weeks of contemplating, I have decided to step away from football after nine years. The last four years as head coach have been one of the most fulfilling times of my life. I can’t thank you guys enough. Good things to come in 2022 for you.”
Perry led the Whalers to a 7-3 record this past season and amassed a record of 23-13 over the course of his four seasons as head coach. He couldn’t be immediately reached for comment, but many players have reacted to the news of their coach deciding to step down with remarks of gratitude, appreciation, and praise for Perry.

Justin Bloise, Class of 2022:

“Coach Perry is the type of coach you tell your parents and family about. He is the coach that makes you love the game. He cares for his players on and off the field and makes sure as a Whaler student athlete you represent Nantucket Football and our community in the right ways. Coach P makes football fun, competitive, and on Halloween will show up in a Michael Myers costume to give you a little laughter. The seniors (Class of 2022) has been with Coach Perry since he first got the head coach job, which was our freshman year. We have been with Coach P for four years and it’s the best four years anybody could ask for. To the team dinners, speeches, island cup, semifinals, and all the memories we shared with Coach P, ourselves and his alumni players can easily say Coach Joe Perry never change your ways one bit. Much love to you and your family in the future. #WhalerPrideForever"

Makai Bodden, Class of 2022:

"It’s really sad that Coach Perry won’t be the head coach next year. Even though I won’t be there, I know throughout my four years of high school football he has been my head coach and no one can match his energy. He is very old fashioned and he does not fail on the disciplined part but also knows how to make it fun for the players. He was truly one of the best coaches I had in the many sports I’ve played.”

Devonte Usher, Class of 2020:

"I've played football for almost all of my 20 years of living, and along with Mark Willett, there is no coach that I think wanted me to succeed as much as Coach Perry. If you know me, you know I like to joke around but when the time comes, I can get serious. Coach is just like that. He lets us have our fun, but keeps us serious and competitive enough not to slack off in practice. During his little speech practice he would humor the team with his little jokes that lighten up everyone's mood, while keeping it real at the same time. He's believed in me since he first started coaching me on JV my 8th grade year, letting me know if I worked hard enough I could be one of the best players to go through Nantucket.
Coach has helped boost my morale each and every time I was down with an injury, which meant a lot more to me than he would know. Instead of rushing me back, he made sure I met with Wally Lester daily until I felt 100 percent. I know a lot of people say coaches ruin their High School experience but I couldn't have ask for a better coach. Thank you Coach Perry. Love you coach."

Garner Ray, Class of 2022:

"Whenever we would have practice he would be the motivator to make you show up early and talk with him. He always has a funny story to share with you. Even coming down the hill after having a hard day at school when you're just down in the dumps, he would make it ten times better. Coach Perry always has a smile on his face and is always cracking jokes, but when we needed to get down to business he would make sure everyone was on the same page and had his level of seriousness and that’s definitely what makes him the best coach. He’s definitely one of the adults in my life that I know I could go to for anything and he would help me out. I can’t thank him enough for the success he’s given me and my teammates as the head coach for my class for all the four years of high school we’ve played. He never lost the Island Cup as head coach and that’s a statement in itself."

Zayvion Stanley, Class of 2022:

"Coach Perry was one those coaches you could talk to, have a laugh with, and help you if you are stuck. His impact on my four years of playing football was very special to me. He would always encourage me and others to do our best every opportunity. Without him, I don't think I would be where I am now. In our last game in Sandwich at half time we were losing and he gave one of the best speeches to help us win the game in triple overtime. As a coach he would always be into the games. When I'm on the field and see him on the sideline whenever we would score he would be so excited. I want to thank him for everything he has done for the community, the island, and especially the football team."

Anthony Esker, Class of 2022:

“Coach Perry was more than just a coach to us. He looked out for all of the players and really cares about the Whalers and the community. He is like family to us and you could always come to him for anything. Coach always made practices more fun with the way he would crack jokes and make us laugh. It meant a lot to us and it was more than just football. Kids wanted to come to practice just to be around the team and make those memories with each other. It is sad that it has to end for us seniors and I know we would all do it again if we could but I know the boys will keep winning and keep the Island Cup at home.”

Carlos Aguilar, Class of 2024:

"Coach Perry was one of the most inspiring coaches I had this past year when I came back to football. I took my freshman year off and came back to start and play the most important role on the field. I never realized how hard it really could’ve been until actual practices began and he realized that I was letting it get into my head sometimes. Every time I made a bad pass or ran a play wrong Coach would never get mad at me. He would simply tell me to keep my head up and that it’s not going to be that easy coming back after a year off. He would always do his best so all of his players could succeed. He had his team and believed in all of us.

Even after hours he would stay with a couple of guys after practice, field house open, let us get throws in, drills, all sorts of ways to help us improve. He would open up the field house at 5:30 AM as well for me and Brian to let us get workouts in. He always believed in all of us and I’m always going to remember this past year and everything he did for us.”

Sean Murphy, Class of 2023:

"Coach Perry has been the leader of our team for as long as I have been here. He is one of the best coaches I have ever been able to play for. No matter the situation, whether we are down 20 or up 20, he would always want better out of us and for that, I am grateful. Coach Perry has always said we play for the letters in front of our jerseys not the ones on our back. He has made me fall in love with the game of football even more and to a player that is all we can ask, is to make us better and enjoy the game.”

Ian Williams, Class of 2023:

"I want to thank Coach Perry for all that he has done for me and the team these past four years. He has made better men and better football players out of all of us. His presence will be missed."

Wyatt Penrose, Class of 2023:

"Great coach, better person. He has been my coach since 8th grade and he always believed in me. He helped me become a better player on the field and a better person off of. When I broke my wrist and had to go under for surgery he was by my side, reached out before, and came over the day after to see how I was doing and gave me some whaler gear."

Tyler Anderson, Class of 2021:

“Coach Perry was the first coach to give me a chance. He is a great guy and if you needed him he was there. He made football an amazing experience.”

Jahlani Immanuel, Class of 2022:

“(Coach Perry) and Whaler football taught me to stay hungry and never settle for the bare minimum.”
Sam Cristler, Class of 2023:

"Coach Perry always made an effort to make players feel welcome and apart of a family on and off the field. I am forever grateful to say I played under his coaching."