Owen resigns as coach at Twin Valley
Dean Owens went out on top. His final game as Twin Valley football coach was a 28-24 win over Fleetwood in which Dominic Caruso matched a program record with 348 rushing yards.
“That was a big win for us,” said the 44-year-old Owens, who is stepping away after five seasons due to family obligations. “That was nice to go out that way, with Dom breaking the record and us playing our best game of the season.”
Owens brought stability to the program and finished with a .500 record four times in five season; the Raiders had winning or .500 records just twice in their first 20 seasons before Owens arrived for the 2016 season.
They went 3-3 overall this season and 3-1 in Section 2 of the Berks Football League. They lost two weeks at midseason due to a coronavirus scare.
Owens, who finished with a 21-25 record, didn’t tell his players or staff about his plans until earlier this week.
“I didn’t want to steal from the night,” he said of the season finale.
He said he realized throughout the season that he needed to take a break from football in order to spend more time with three daughters who are actively involved in travel sports.
“The demands of being a head coach today is non-stop,” he said. “It’s yearround. It was taking away from time with them. They’re playing soccer and field hockey, and at different times, and I wanted to be around and see them play. Football’s always going to be there.”
Owens leaves with a strong nucleus returning. Caruso, the team’s leading rusher, quarterback Ryan Scheivert and leading receiver Trey Freeman are all juniors, as is guard/linebacker Ryan Corros. They are among the best players to come through the program.
“Whoever takes over is inheriting a really talented group,” Owens said. “There’s a good nucleus of guys that can win some games. That made it difficult to leave those seniors. It also made it easy knowing that whoever takes over has some talent to work with.
“I feel good about the direction of the program. We’re competitive, and I believe we’re on the way to being a playoff team down the road. Our middle school team was undefeated. Our youth league is running our offense now. There are a lot of good things that we’ve accomplished. It makes me feel a little better knowing that whoever takes over has decent talent.”
Owens is the third Section 2 coach to resign since the end of the season. Chuck Kutz announced plans to leave following Hamburg’s final game. Schuylkill Valley’s Jeff Chillot confirmed his resignation Tuesday.
Owens was an assistant football coach at West Chester Henderson and West Chester East and head baseball coach at East prior to coming to Twin Valley.
Owens teaches social studies at West Chester East and lives in the Twin Valley school district. He said his return to football is a matter of when, not if.
“I took a year off in 2013 when our youngest was born,” he said. “I realized I needed to be on the sidelines. Coaching’s always going to be there. I can always come back. To see my kids play, you get one shot at it.”