Almost every little boy has a love for football. Some grow up and decide they want to play in the big leagues; others decide they want to coach. Dominic Garrini, a 2008 Hoover graduate, is living that dream.

“It was a great opportunity that I had to take when it was offered to me,” Garrini, the newest addition to the Hoover freshmen football coaching staff, said. “It allows me to better myself and use my knowledge.”

Knowledge, however, comes with experience.

While some experience came from playing football in high school, Garrini said he benefited most from watching and learning from his previous coaches.

“I was always into football but never the best athlete,” he said. “So I decided I wanted to learn the game.”

The knowledge and experience gained over the course of four years inspired Garrini to “give back.”

“I felt that coaching was a great way to pay back Hoover for the great experience they gave me as a player.”

But coaching a freshmen football team takes more than knowledge and experience, Mr. Joe Foughty, head coach of the freshmen team, said.

“Coaching also requires hard work and a love for the sport you coach,” he said.

Foughty said he believes Garrini is an excellent addition to the coaching staff.

“He’s adjusting well from a player to a coach,” he said. “He was a great addition to the team. He brings a lot of enthusiasm to the players.”

“He relates well to the boys being right out of high school,” Foughty said.

Garrini said the coaching staff, which consists of five coaches, is focusing on enthusiasm this season.

“Our main plan is to get more aggressive,” he said. “The biggest thing to bring is enthusiasm. You can’t coach enthusiasm.”

Freshman player Johnnie Luther said Garrini’s excitement pumps up the team.

“His energy level is very high,” he said. “He gets really into the games.”

Along with after school practices, the freshmen football team plays Thursdays and Saturdays.

Even though Garrini is currently one of the coaches, he said he is still learning.

“I have learned a lot from [the team] and will continue to,” he said. “I came into this thinking I knew a lot, but in reality I have much to learn.”

Freshman player Cody Ellsworth agreed.

“We’re with him 98 percent of the day,” he said.

Garrini said he sees a bright future ahead for himself and his coaching career. Along with work, school and spending time with friends, he said he would continue to coach at Hoover. Being so young, some people may think of Garrini as a mentor to the young men on the team.

“They know that just four years ago I was in their shoes,” Garrini said.