EVERETT — John Ondriezek left some big shoes to fill at Mariner High School, but Mark Stewart is just the man to fill them.
After more than two decades as the Marauders head football coach, Ondriezek retired in December. A little over a month later, Mariner hired Stewart, who served as the Marauders defensive coordinator in 2014.
But Stewart’s resume is much more decorated than his one season as an assistant for Ondriezek.
He achieved sustained success in 13 seasons as a head coach at Meadowdale prior to taking over at Garfield High School in 2013. Stewart returned to Wesco after one season with the Bulldogs to coach alongside Ondriezek.
“It’s been a really nice experience with coach Ondriezek,” Stewart said. “It’s just been a good atmosphere to be around. I’m familiar with him (from) when I competed against him over at Meadowdale. To be able to come in take over after him has been great. It’s just been a great and smooth transition.”
Stewart compiled an 87-49 record at Meadowdale from 2000-2012 and led the Mavericks to the state playoffs seven times, someplace he hopes to lead the Marauders this season.
One thing Stewart has always been able to do is to get his players to buy in. At the Marauders’ first practice of the season on Wednesday, it was obvious that he has already earned the support of his team.
“I think it’s going to be a great season,” senior offensive and defensive lineman DeRhaun Mallett said. “We definitely have the capability to take (the) league (championship), it’s just going to come down to gelling together and playing together.”
Players credited Stewart for how organized he is when it comes to running a practice. And when it comes to running plays, Stewart can be a bit of a perfectionist.
“He really critiques plays,” junior running back and defensive back Anthany Smith said. “He makes sure all the blocks are specific and everybody hits their blocks and does the precise stuff. It’s not just running through the plays. Everybody has to get their blocks (right).”
Stewart and Ondriezek’s offensive philosophies are both based in Wing-T principles, but the Marauders will look different under Stewart.
“What I’m doing is not real far away from what they’ve done,” Stewart said. “I do things a little bit different, but there is enough similarities that it will be a pretty similar transition.”
Stewart said not to expect an exact replica of what he did at Meadowdale, although he admits it will be similar.
“It’s a little bit different because it’s a different school, but when you’re a head coach for over 20 years there are some things that are just what you do and what you know how to coach,” Stewart said. “We’re going to get out there and do those things and the things that I believe in.”
There seems to be an excitement among the Mariner players for what they might be able to accomplish this season with Stewart at the helm, but Ondriezek’s influence on the program is far from gone.
“When I think of Mariner, I think of Ondriezek,” Mallett said.
Senior running back and defensive back Brinder Kaile said two words came to mind when he thinks of Ondriezek.
“Mariner pride,” Kaile said.
“He was all about that,” Smith added of Ondriezek. “He always came and checked up on us in class and how we were doing in school. If we ever had family problems we could always sit down and talk to him. … He’s just a good guy in general. He can be there for you whenever. He’s that guy you can count on.”
MARINER MARAUDERS
Head coach: Mark Stewart (1st season)
Key Returners: Anthany Smith, Jr., RB/DB; DeRhaun Mallett, Sr., OL/DL; Brinder Kaile, Sr., RB/DB.
Coach’s quote: “I’ve absolutely loved working with this group. They’ve worked hard and there is just a willingness to learn, a willingness to want to get better and a willingness to compete. I’m amazed at how well these kids get along with each other. It’s really kind of refreshing. It makes it fun coaching. I think the sky is the limit for this group.”
Aaron Lommers covers prep sports for The Herald. Follow him on Twitter at @aaronlommers and contact him at alommers@heraldnet.com.
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