Rolfe leaving Benedictine

Benedictine is searching for a new football coach.

The Cadets' coach of four years, Dan Rolfe, is leaving the private school ranks to fill the football vacancy at Fort Defiance High, a Group AA school in Augusta County near Waynesboro. Rolfe replaces Dale Spitzer, who was fired after 25 years as the Indians' coach.

Benedictine was Rolfe's first head coach position. He was 31 when he left Mills Godwin where he coached football and track and taught math.

"Coach Rolfe has been an excellent math teacher and an outstanding leader for our football and track programs," Benedictine principal John McGinty said. "We were together at Godwin (McGinty was principal), and I knew the positive impact in the classroom and on the field that he would have before he joined us."

The Cadets improved from 3-7 in Rolfe's first season to 9-2 and a berth in the Virginia Independent Schools, Division I playoffs last fall. Benedictine compiled a 21-18 mark during his tenure.

"Coach Rolfe is such a positive force for young people in every way," McGinty said. "He will be truly missed by our Cadets and our entire school community."

Rolfe's hobby as a race-car driver took him to Winchester on occasion. Friends let him know about the opening at Fort Defiance.

The Indians won two games the past two seasons.

"It's going to take time," Rolfe said of the turnaround task ahead. "We didn't win right away [at Benedictine]. I believe in building a program on enthusiasm and hard work."