By Matt Smith
A new era of Ridley High football has officially begun.
The Ridley Board of School Directors Monday night approved the hiring of Dave Wood, a Penn Wood High graduate who most recently was an assistant coach at the University of Penn.
Wood replaces Dennis Decker, who stepped down in late-December following a seven-year tenure that included a District One Class AAAA championship run in 2009. Wood becomes the sixth head coach in Ridley High history, following Decker, John Waller, Ralph Batty, Joe McNicholas and Phil Marion.
“You have great support from the community at Ridley and there’s always great kids in that program,” Wood told The Delaware County Daily Times by phone Monday night. “And then there’s the tradition. You take a look at all the alumni that played in the program and what they’ve been able to accomplish. I’m just very fortunate to have that job, to be the next coach, and I’m looking forward to getting in the school and get working.”
Wood said he will meet with his players Tuesday.