Dave Naylor, a former coach of the Westlake junior varsity boys’ soccer program, has taken over the position of the head coach of the boys’ soccer program from previous head coach Kevin McCarthy.

According to Athletic Director Tim Chevalier, Naylor stood out against the other candidates for the position.

“Coach Naylor came across in his interview with a sense of enthusiasm that set him apart,” Chevalier said.

Before recently earning the position of head coach at Oak Park, Naylor coached at Westlake High School as the boy’s junior varsity soccer coach and coached at club soccer programs and the American Youth Soccer Organization. Naylor has been coaching soccer for sixteen years and will continue to do so within the Oak Park High School soccer program.

“I believe that this new coach is doing his job and is committed to this team,” senior and varsity team member Sora Sato said.

According to Sato, the transition from one coach to another means having to intertwine his abilities and the team’s sense of teamwork.

“I just hope for a good season where everyone is filled with positivity and that Coach Naylor does everything to help our team situate from last season to a better season this year,” Sato said.

According to Naylor, he feels a very strong connection to OPHS, since his kids played for Oak Park. Also, many of the athletes that Naylor coached over the years were OPHS students.

“I spent many hours in the stands cheering for them and their teams,” Naylor said.

Looking forward, Naylor says he sees a bright future for the program and will work hard to enrich the lives of the players who come through OPHS.

“I believe that when you have a high degree of confidence in yourself you can achieve anything,” Naylor said.