Pat Riberdy could not have scripted a more perfect ending to his coaching career at Winnisquam Regional.
The longtime face of the Bears guided the football team to an undefeated season last fall as well as the program’s first state title, finishing the job in the Division IV championship with a 19-14 victory over rival Franklin – the same place Riberdy attended high school.
In a lot of ways Riberdy felt like his career came full circle after that game, making the decision to retire earlier this year a little bit easier.
For those that know him best, it was hard to see him walk away. For Riberdy, it just felt right.
“I felt like I was spending a lot of time doing other things and not spending time at home,” said the 49-year-old Riberdy. “It was that time where I felt the program was in the right spot and I coached some great kids. It was just that time. It felt right. That’s the best answer I can give.”
First as an assistant and then quickly rising up to head coach, Riberdy spent 13 seasons with the Bears (12 as head coach), leading them to the championship game two different times (2009, 2018) while also being selected to coach New Hampshire in last summer’s Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl.
“Winnisquam has always been top notch to me. I was lucky enough to be in a situation where we got to do the things we needed to do and we always had the support. The community was always behind us,” Riberdy said. “There’s a lot of coaches that have been there forever and that’s really the part I love. … Just building relationships, building those connections and being such a tight group for the longest time was more than you could hope for as a coach.”
One of the strongest bonds Riberdy formed was with Winnisquam baseball coach Fred Caruso.
“He was my scorekeeper when we won the state title in 2010. His son played for us and he’s a great guy. I can’t say enough good things about him,” Caruso said. “He works hard. The kids respect him, the school respects him, I respect him. Everybody in our community respects him.”
While talks between Riberdy and Winnisquam Athletic Director Brian Contorchick had been going on since the end of the 2017 school year, Riberdy’s announcement to retire came in January. A few months later in April, he underwent open-heart surgery that he called “a little nerve-wracking,” but also said that it didn’t play much of a factor in his choice.
“They’ve monitored it but it slowly progressed to where they had to go in and do a repair on it. When I stepped away I didn’t even realize I had to go through this so I’d have to say no, it was just everything else,” Riberdy said.
“I’m catching up on some things, spending some time with my close family, my wife and son, and sports-wise I’ll be down there watching and supporting the program, lending a hand when asked, whether it be holding the chains or whatever, I’ll be glad to do it.”
In his place, longtime assistant Derek Hunt will take over the program. Hunt has worked under Riberdy at Winnisquam since the 2007 season, and the two even coached together at the youth level before that.
Hunt is also just about the perfect person to step into the role as far as Riberdy is concerned.
“He’s learned all the ins and outs right there with me and has kind of always been my right-hand man,” Riberdy said. “I’m really happy for Derek. He puts his heart and soul into the program. He’s got passion like you can’t find in a lot of people and I’m really proud that he took the position.”
As far as Riberdy ever coaching again, he left the door open for a possible return.
“I definitely have years left in me, that’s for sure,” Riberdy said. “I’ve still got more to learn and when that day comes, where it comes, I’ll just have to wait and see.”
(Jay McAree can be reached at 369-3371, jmcaree@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @JayMcAree.)