By Scott Elpers

 Freshmen are not the only new faces on the Derby High School football team this year.

Head coach Brandon Clark added two new assistant coaches, Chris Pinaire and Justin Williams, to his staff over the summer. 

Pinaire, a graduate from DHS, played on the Panthers’ state runner-up football team back in 1993. He spent 11 years as head coach of the Haysville Middle School football team, and was the defensive line coach for Derby Middle School last season.

Pinaire moves over to coach the offensive line for DHS. He will continue to teach seventh and eighth grade computers at Haysville Middle School. 

Pinaire said he had the opportunity to become familiar with the staff and players during football camps and organized workouts over the summer. 

“We have a good group of kids. I think there is some toughness and smarts to some of the offensive linemen,” Pinaire said. “They know what they are doing. This year, it’s all about refining technique, because they know the plays.”

Anchoring the offensive line are Cole Hansen and Jordan Hill. Pinaire said both are smart players who can execute offensively.

“Besides quarterback, an offensive lineman has to be one of the sharpest guys on offense,” he said. “You really have to be an intelligent individual.” 

Growing up in Derby, Pinaire said it has always been his goal to coach for the football team at DHS.

“Every kid growing up in Derby wants to be part of the football program,” he said. “Being able to contribute to it is amazing.”  

Williams was hired this past week and is the newest member of the staff. He graduated from Southwestern University in 2011 and is an elementary teacher at Cooper Elementary.

This marks Williams’ first year coaching football. He played linebacker in college and high school and will help coach the defensive backs.

“I’ve been trying to get into coaching here since I started teaching,” Williams said. “I’m so excited I haven’t been able to sleep. It’s exciting to be back in football.”