McGann-Mercy High School has hired former National Football League quarterback Michael Buck as the new head coach of the varsity football team.
Buck fills the vacancy created by the surprise dismissal of former varsity coach Jeff Doroski earlier this year.
A Long Island native, Buck, 47, grew up in Sayville and attended Sayville High School. He played at the University of Maine where he was team MVP and Yankee Conference Player of the Year in 1987 and 1989, according to a press release issued by McGann-Mercy High School. From there, Buck was drafted onto the New Orleans Saints for the 1990 NFL season.
Buck said in an interview this afternoon that he played four seasons with the Saints and one with the Arizona Cardinals in 1995. He began the 1996 pre-season with the Miami Dolphins, but retired from the NFL before the regular season began.
After retiring, Buck moved on to coaching in the Arena Football League. He served as head coach and the director of football operations for the Pensacola Barracudas, the Norfolk Nighthawks and the Lubbock Lonestars, according to the press release.
At the high school level, Buck’s résumé includes offensive coordinator for the Bay Shore Marauders, assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Calhoun High School and head coach of the Calhoun Colts varsity football team in Merrick, the press release said.
“I’m excited to get to work — very excited,” Buck said of his first season with the Monarchs. “It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
The survival of local journalism depends on your support.
We are a small family-owned operation. You rely on us to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Just a few dollars can help us continue to bring this important service to our community.
Support RiverheadLOCAL today.