By Kim J. Harmon

When Steve George returned Newtown High School as a teacher – six years after graduating as a two-time state champion football player – coaching wasn’t even in his mind.

But his best friend, Joe Lato, was going to be the defensive coordinator for the newly-hired Ken Roberts and before long Lato introduced George to Roberts and just like that the wheels were set in motion on a new coaching career.

George, 31, was named this week as the new head coach of the Newtown football program, taking over for coach Roberts.

“It’s kind of weird,” said George, who served with the Marine corps for a year before earning his teaching degree at Western Connecticut and his masters from Central Connecticut. “Coaching wasn’t even in my plans when I was first hired here (in 1999).”

For the first two years he spent most of his time with the freshman program, but since then had split his time with the varsity program and he will be taking over a team that finished 8-2 in 2006, but one that will be graduating nearly two dozen seniors.

“It’s really exciting,” he said. “We’re losing a lot of experience, but the kids behind (the seniors) are really talented and excited about getting started.”

When coach Roberts first took over the reigns from former coach Bob Zito, he re-vamped the running game to reflect a more traditional one- of two-back system. It may be a little too early to determine what changes coach George will make, but he is ready for the challenge.

“Ken had a lot of things in place that we worked on together,” said coach George, “and we’d like to keep those things continuing. Obviously, there will be some things we need to change, but I feel like I’ve been handed the keys to a Cadillac.”

Coach George has already gotten to work securing his coaching staff and has about two months before spring practices begin.

“Coach Roberts did so many great things in his tenure here,” said athletic director Gregg Simon, “and it was important for me to find someone who can allow our program to grow. We’re very fortunate to have such a highly-qualified teacher and coach ready to head our program.