What was widely speculated was made official on Monday: Ed Reilly will be the next head football coach at Abington High School.
He will take over for Jim Kelliher, who retired this fall after 50 years leading the program.
“I am excited and honored to continue the legacy that Coach Kelliher has built with Green Wave football, and I am fortunate to have been able to learn from him as both a player and as his assistant coach,” Reilly said in an announcement released by the Abington Athletic Department.
“I look forward to continuing to use the game of football to help student-athletes find success on and off the field in a town which has meant so much to me and my family. I am excited to get to work.”
Reilly has been Kelliher’s right-hand man for several years, including serving as associate head coach the past two seasons.
“[Ed] Reilly’s list of accomplishments as a coach are both lengthy and impressive,” said Abington Athletic Director Peter Serino. “Along with Coach Kelliher and the other assistant coaches, he has helped build a winning culture within our Green Wave football program.”
Reilly is a 1990 graduate of Abington High School and served as quarterback and captain under Kelliher. He went on to play at the College of the Holy Cross and was part of the 1990 Patriot League winning team.
Reilly started volunteering as an assistant freshman team coach in 1997 before becoming the head freshman coach. Since 2001, he’s served as the varsity offensive coordinator in 2001 and helped turn Abington into a consistent playoff contender.
“This is great news for the kids of Abington High School,” said longtime team broadcaster Kevin Whalen. “Ed has certainly earned this opportunity. I couldn’t be happier for him.”
Serino said Reilly’s off-field efforts contributed to his promotion as much as the on-field successes. According to the announcement, Reilly implemented and led an offseason strength and conditioning program, helped establish and outfit the original AHS weight room, and later assisted in the design of high school’s current fitness center.
“The five state championships and 12 league championships are impressive, but what Coach Reilly does off the field is even more admirable,” Serino wrote in his statement.
“Coach Reilly builds meaningful relationships that last well beyond high school. He has served as a mentor to hundreds of student athletes while coaching football, and he finds unique ways to connect with each student and instill winning characteristics – responsibility, accountability, work ethic and respect.
“Coach Reilly has helped our student-athletes become successful adults in our community and beyond, and our school community is thrilled to have him follow Coach Kelliher and continue the Green Wave football team’s legacy of success both on and off the playing field.”
Reilly’s son, Ed, helmed Abington’s 2021 team which made the state finals. His son Michael, a junior, is the team’s current quarterback. And his youngest, Jack, was a freshman player this past season. He holds a law degree from Suffolk University and is a practicing attorney.