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Coaches' Corner: Chuck Adamopoulos

Wednesday, October, 03 By Alan Siegel
Staff writer

Running back Mike Leavitt is back, the Raiders are coming off a one-point win over Dracut, and a big game against Merrimack Valley Conference power Billerica is on tap. These are heady times for Central Catholic coach Chuck Adamopoulos.

Now in his 11th season at the helm, the 48-year-old graduate of Pentucket Regional and the University of Rhode Island is still going strong.

We caught up with him this week.

1. The big question is, can the Patriots finish 16-0?
"No. I just think over that period of time in the NFL it's too tough. … It's inevitable there will be some breakdowns."

2. How do you think Bill Belichick keeps his guys so focused?
"I think Belichick just has them mentally programmed on whatever is at hand that week. He does a great job. There's also a core of veterans who think just like the coaches."

3. From your experience, how hard is it to keep players focused?
"You try and get your team to play for each other. You go from there. It's not always easy. There's always kids who have their own agendas. Part of coaching | part of teaching | is to see what's good for the group. … Pulling them into the flock is always a challenge."

4. As a coach, who's the best player you've had to game-plan against?
"Probably (current Pittsburgh Steelers third-string quarterback) Brian St. Pierre when he used to play for St. John's Prep. You knew he was going to do something good at the college level. He had such a command of this game. He was really impressive for a high school kid."

5. As a kid, was there one player you loved watching?
"Jack Lambert of the Steelers. I just loved the way he played."

6. What made him so intimidating?
"He was missing all his teeth. He had a great look to him. He was just non-stop all over the field."

7. How has the high school game changed since you were a teenager?
"I guess from a strategy point of view, the complexities of the offense. It's just changed so much. The second thing is, the kids are bigger. I was in high school in the 1970s. If a kid was over 200 pounds, he was considered really big. Strength training over the years has come a long way."

8. Do you think steroids will ever be completely eradicated in sports?
"I think it's going to be around in sports in general. It seems that every time they find a way to crack down on something, something new pops up. They seem to do a better job testing for things. But it always seems like something is popping up."

9. Are you, like a lot of people around here, excited about the Celtics this season?
"Yes. As a matter of fact, I told the kids (Tuesday) after practice to enjoy what they're watching right now with the Patriots. They're lucky enough to see something special. With Larry Bird playing in the '80s, I made sure to watch as many games as I could. … I'm 48. I was just out of college when he was playing. Before we went out at night we'd watch the Celtics."

10. What's the greatest athletic accomplishment you've seen in person?
"I was lucky enough in (1973) to go to the Orange Bowl. Nebraska beat Notre Dame 40-6. Johnny Rodgers | I can't remember how many touchdowns he had (four TDs and a 52-yard TD pass). To this day, it's the best performance I've ever seen."