Father, son get a kick out of coaching Like his father, Patrick Kilby takes over soccer at SC

By Nick Roth • Staff Writer • August 19, 2009

GEORGETOWN -- As coach of the Indian River High School boys and girls soccer teams, Steve Kilby has earned conference, state and regional coach of the year honors, and helped lead his teams to several division championships.

So when his son, Patrick Kilby, started his high school varsity coaching career Aug. 15 as Sussex Central's new coach, he had a lot to live up to.

"Everything I've learned about the game has been taught to me from my dad," Patrick Kilby said. "The way to handle yourself as a coach, decision making, the process of evaluating players; I got all that from him."

The record shows that Patrick Kilby isn't inheriting a well-established program. The Golden Knights posted a 6-8-2 overall record last year and finished near the bottom of the Henlopen Conference Northern Division standings.

"He's got to roll up his sleeves and do a lot of work the first year or so," Steve Kilby said. "He's got to do the ground work and get the players interested in the program and committed."

One of Patrick Kilby's main goals as a new coach is to establish a booster club with dedicated parents who are willing to raise funds for the team. He also wants to eliminate any rift between the high school and middle school programs so players can make a smooth transition.

"I'm looking to basically change everything that's been going on," he said. "A school of this size in Sussex County should be doing well. That expectation of commitment should be relayed from the coach to the players. I want to set the foundation for success."

Although it's his first varsity coaching job, Patrick Kilby said he feels he's well qualified for the position. Graduating from Dover High School in 2000, he went on to play with Wilmington University for four years, where the team was nationally ranked in Division II twice and earned two conference championships. More recently, he served as head coach for three River Soccer Club teams.

"Pat lives, eats and breathes soccer," said Tim Danaher, who helped him coach the RSC Rapids travel team. "I don't know if you'll see improvement (at Central) this year, but give it a year and they'll be up there with everyone else in the area."

And when Sept. 24 rolls around and Patrick Kilby sees a familiar face pacing in front of the IR bench, he hopes his team will be ready to go.

"It's going to be a challenge going up against (my dad) every year, but it's a challenge I'm welcoming," he said. "Not only do we get to compare ourselves to one of the best teams in the state, but I also get to evaluate myself as a coach."