By Seth Staskey

For The Wetzel Chronicle

As it pertained to his coaching career, Dave “Doc” Chapman always subscribed to the theory that he would know when it was time to step away.

That time is now.

Chapman’s resignation as the Magnolia head football coach was formally accepted by the Wetzel County Schools Board of Education at its Jan. 9 meeting, ending a 30-year run as a prep football coach.

“I actually contemplated this a few years ago, but you know when you know,” Chapman said. “It’s just time for me to move on. I didn’t want to make a knee-jerk reaction, so, in the months since the season ended, I really thought about a lot of things, talked to my family and just felt it was time.”

Chapman took over the reins of the Blue Eagles program in 2016 after spending the prior seasons working as the offensive coordinator under Mark Batton and then Josh Natali, both of whom led Magnolia to a state championship.

Under Chapman, the Blue Eagles qualified for the playoffs in just 2018. They advanced to the second round before falling to Wheeling Central. Since then, however, it’s been a rough stretch for Magnolia, which has won just three games in the last four seasons.

“We had a couple of lean years,” Chapman admitted. “I wish we could have won a few more games, but I have no regrets. I’ve never thought about a record being what defined a coach. If that’s what defines you, as a coach, maybe you’re in it for the wrong reasons. I enjoyed developing and coaching up the kids we had and preparing them. That was the fun part for me.”

As injuries mounted and numbers decreased, Magnolia wasn’t able to finish its regular-season schedule last season. It played just eight games.

Chapman’s coaching career launched in 1988 when OVAC Hall of Fame mentor Dave Cisar offered him an assistant coaching position at his alma mater just one year removed from the end of his playing days with the New England Patriots.

“I’ve been fortunate to work with and for some great coaches, but I’ll always be grateful to Coach Cisar for giving me my first coaching job,” Chapman said. “Being around some great coaches helped me to develop as a young coach.

Chapman spent five seasons with Magnolia before accepting an assistant’s position at St. Marys. He was there until 1998 and returned to Magnolia for one season before going to Williamstown for a few seasons, returning to Magnolia when his daughters were young.

He returned to Magnolia in 2007 and has been there ever since.

“Win, lose or draw, coaching high school football is a grind,” Chapman said. “I’ve been lucky to have a supportive wife (Pam), who is a coach herself, and I was able to (coach) without missing a lot of my girls’ activities. I definitely enjoyed my time, you know when enough is enough.”

As for what lies ahead, Chapman didn’t close the door fully on an eventual return to the sidelines at some point. But, he also set no timetable or made and guarantees.

“The fire never fully goes out,” Chapman said. “For now, though, I need to get away from it. I’ll see what the time off brings and down the road … who knows what may happen?”