McLean’s Making History During 80th OVAC All Star Football Game
Brett, Sam Become First Father-Son, Head Coach-Quarterback Duo
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WHEELING - Over the course of the last 80 years, there have been just a few head high school football coaches on both sides of the Ohio River that have had their sons quarterback them to outstanding seasons during their senior campaigns.
Chad Magistro and his father, John, at Bellaire. Dave Cisar and his son, Mark, at Magnolia. Zac and Dave Bruney from Martins Ferry to just name a few.
However, until this summer, not one father-son duo has had the opportunity to be on the sidelines together for the OVAC Rudy Mumley All Star Football Game.
Veteran St. Clairsville head coach Brett McLean played in the 1996 game as a member of the West Virginia team. He graduated from Brooke before taking his talents to NCAA Division III powerhouse Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio.
Three decades later, McLean is back as the Ohio head coach for the 80th annual mid-summer classic. This will be his second time coaching in the contest, with the first time coming in 2007. This time, however, he will be coaching his son, Sam, who was one of two Ohio quarterbacks selected to participate.
"It's really exciting. I think this was a goal of Sam's to get the opportunity to play in the OVAC All Star Game, and he'd likely be here playing with, or without, me," Coach McLean said. "It just so happened that it worked out just right. This year was our (OVAC) division's turn in the rotation. We are thrilled that it worked out this way."
The two helped the Red Devils to an 8-4 record last fall and a trip to the second round of the Division V, Region 17 playoffs. It was Sam's only season as the field general.
"This means a lot to me, honestly," Sam admitted. "It's a whole new experience being here with guys that I've played with and against in my career. Being here at Wheeling University for a week is like being at college, and it even means more that it is for the OVAC All Star Game.
"I'm blessed to be selected for the game by my coaches and my dad," he added. "I had a lot of other coaches that nominated me and put a lot of thought into it."
The younger McLean completed 60.5 percent of his passes last season (101-167) for more than 1,500 yards and 18 touchdowns. He will play collegiately at Washington & Jefferson College in nearby Washington, Pa.
"I'm looking forward to another week with him on the sidelines and in practices in his last high school game. I know he's as anxious to get going as I am," Coach McLean said. "I can't believe this week is the culmination of his high school career. Fortunately, he is going to go on and play at Washington & Jefferson College. I told him this is a great tuneup. A great opportunity to get into shape against some top tier competition. The speed of the game changes from high school to college and he has seen some of that this week in practice.
"I know from playing in this game, he'll make some lifelong memories and lifelong friends."
Sam grew up around Red Devil Stadium, literally. As many of the coaches' sons did, the younger McLean served as a team manager and was part of the young crew that played pickup games in the end zones during practices and prior to games.
"The life of a football coach's kid is that they don't have a choice. The babysitter is coaching the team at practice, so they are with you a lot of times," Brett said. "It was a blink of the eye that he went from being a manager down in the end zone playing with the other managers winging it around to this. Parents tell you 'don't blink' because growing up goes fast and I can attest to that."
Sam said he owes everything to his father/coach.
"Honestly, he is responsible the most for the way I have progressed throughout my career," the younger McLean stressed. "He has been teaching me the game since I was born. It all started with me being around practices growing up and then being a senior football player, and now an All Star. He's taught me all the ins and outs of being a quarterback. I owe everything to him.
"It's been a long time since he's been involved in this game. We were talking about that last week. It's special to be a part of his return to this game."
When asked about the pressure he faced being the quarterback for his father/head coach, Sam replied, "I don't think there was as much pressure on me as people think. I think it was almost calming at times to have that figure out on the field, especially as my head coach. He was someone I felt very comfortable talking to about our offense and the opponent's defense."
McLean will get the starting nod, but the backup quarterback is nothing to sneeze about.
"We have two great quarterbacks from great high school programs," Coach McLean added. "Ian Starkey had a great season last year at Indian Creek. We will use both quarterbacks Saturday night and we've already talked to them about that."
Starkey became the first Redskins to pass for 1,000 yards and run for 1,000 yards in the same season as he led Indian Creek to a 9-1 regular season, the only loss coming to the McLean's.
When Sam was asked if anything but football is talked about at the dinner table, he said, "Only fishing. That's it."
Brett and his wife, Victoria, have three other sons - Ian, Beau and Reid. Beau is serving as a manager for the Ohio All Stars this year.