LISBON — The successful candidate in Lisbon High School’s search for an assistant football coach had all the qualifications, in abundance.

From a four-year career playing the game in high school to an extensive knowledge of sports medicine to an unquenchable thirst for competition, one applicant met the Greyhounds’ every wish.

And to the credit of a classy coaching staff, a proud program and a welcoming community, the fact that she’s a 24-year-old woman hardly inspires a blink, never mind raised eyebrows.

“Everybody’s been really receptive to it,” Kelsey Rush said. “I don’t think it has been questioned once that I was in charge.”

Rush, who grew up in Brunswick and graduated from the University of Maine with dual degrees in physics and secondary education, joined the Lisbon co-curricular staff in July.

She teaches ninth-graders in the science laboratory by day and on the gridiron each afternoon, as head coach of the freshman football team.

On the varsity staff, Rush replaced Randy Ridley, who stepped away from a lengthy tenure with Lisbon’s football program at the end of the 2010 season.

“What she is a quick learner, and she’s not afraid to try. That’s pretty obvious with her coming out here and coaching football,” Lisbon coach Dick Mynahan said. “She’s very energetic. She’s anxious to move forward.”

Women coaching a predominantly boys’ sport are rare, in Maine or elsewhere.

The only notable local example is Rebecca Fletcher, who led Dirigo High School boys’ basketball for only one season, guiding the team to the 2011 Western Class C championship.

Such a trendsetter is even less likely in football, a sport few girls play beyond middle school.

Natalie Randolph — coincidentally, also a science teacher — remains the only woman in charge of a varsity football program in the nation. Randolph led Coolidge High, near Washington, D.C., to 4-7 record in her first year.

Rush is believed to the first female football assistant ever in the tri-county area and the first woman in Maine named head coach of a high school football team at any level.

She hasn’t taken the time to see herself as a historical figure.

“Football is one of those things that built up my character, built up my personality and gave me some strong motivation and confidence in myself,” Rush said. “I think that‘s something that’s important to instill in everyone, so that’s one of the things I try to do when I coach.”

Senior captains Zack Splude and Chase Hunter haven’t detected even a whisper of doubt or disrespect.

“She’s learning how our system goes. I think she’s fitting in real nice,” said Splude, Lisbon’s quarterback. “I don’t think it’s any different at all. She‘s a great coach.”

“I don’t think they really responded any different than last year when we didn’t have her,” Hunter, a two-way lineman, said of his team. “They’ve handled it pretty good.”

Neither football nor coaching is new to Rush.

She played all four years at Brunswick High School under Dick Leavitt, a former NFL lineman. Rush suited up at free safety and flanker and shared in the 2003 Eastern Class A championship her junior year.

“That was the year I tore my ACL. I was on my crutches for state game. So I’m pretty knowledgeable about football injuries just from the ones I’ve had,” Rush said. “Coach Leavitt was awesome. I couldn’t have done it without a supportive head coach behind me the whole way.”

Rush was a student trainer with the University of Maine football team, completing more than half the coursework toward a third bachelor’s degree in athletic training during her stay in Orono.

After graduation, Rush taught junior high science in Boothbay for a year, also coaching the seventh and eighth-grade football team.

Lisbon’s needs for both a science instructor and a football coach opened with serendipitous timing.

For the first time in many years, the Greyhounds’ gridiron staff — led by the venerable Mynahan and also including former Lisbon quarterbacks Stacen Doucette and Jon Tefft — includes someone who is in the high school building all day.

“That’s something we haven’t had,” Mynahan said, “and we’re going to expect that once she gets to know the different kids, we’re going to have more kids come out for football.”

Rush relishes that day-to-day contact interaction with the players. She already has seen the fruits of it.

“I frequently come in and they’re already ready to come in my door and sit on the table and chat about football,” Rush said. “I love having the freshmen for both. It’s nice to see both aspects of it, to have the coaching and teaching going on at the same time.”

Rush hasn’t coached her first freshman game yet. The ninth-grade schedule begins Sept. 22.

Due to the schools’ proximity and an overall lack of freshman programs, Class C Lisbon will play Rush’s Class A alma mater this fall.

“I’m really looking forward to that,” she said.

In addition to leading the freshmen, Rush assists Tefft with the junior varsity and works as a position coach with the varsity receivers.

She has filled Ridley’s role as the resident authority on injury issues. She participates in the staff’s weekly Sunday strategy session at Mynahan’s house.

As she continues to get acclimated, Rush’s duties will expand to include scouting.

“I hear the word ‘Coach’ a lot. I see a lot of respect out there,” Mynahan said. “I know the varsity players treat her well. I told her if anyone was giving her a hard time to come right to me, and no one’s come to me yet, so I think it’s going well.”

koakes@sunjournal.com

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