A New Challenge:Leary Leaves Lynn Tech to Take Revere Coaching Position

By Cary Shuman

Dave Leary has loved basketball since his days growing up in East Boston. He honed his game in Eastie youth leagues, excelled as a three-year varsity player for three tourney-qualifying Savio teams, and eventually moved on to coaching to stay close to the game that had brought him much joy.

 Leary, 37, had a highly successful assistant coaching experience at Malden High School, where the Golden Tornadoes made the State Tournament eight times in 11 years. For the past two years, he has been the head coach at Lynn Tech, moving that once-powerful program in the right direction.

Highly regarded by his peers in the coaching profession, Leary now takes on a new challenge in his career, having been named the boys basketball head coach at Revere High School.

During his first interview as the new RHS coach, Leary took the time to praise Lynn Tech director of athletics Joseph Skeadas. “I want to thank Mr. Skeadas for giving me the opportunity to coach at Lynn Tech. He does a great job and was always very supportive of our team and my coaching staff. I feel we made positive strides at Tech and that the program will continue to move forward.”

Director of Athletics Frank Shea announced Leary’s appointment following an extensive selection process in which a strong field of 15 candidates applied for the position and six received interviews.

“We had a strong pool of candidates and Dave impressed our two selection committees – he was a clear No. 1 choice for us,” said Shea. “Dave brings passion for the game, enthusiasm, and most important to me, he brings integrity. We’re really looking forward to having him here and building the program back to where we want it.”

Leary, who is operations supervisor for a large landscaping company on the North Shore, said he decided to apply for the Revere post because of its affiliation with the Northeastern Conference and the potential to advance the program in a sports-minded city.

“In my opinion, Revere plays in one of the best basketball conferences (Northeastern) around and it is a great community that is filled with good athletes,” said Leary. “There’s a great opportunity to improve and make Revere basketball a big part of the North Shore.”

His Malden teams played against Revere in the old Greater Boston League and his Tech team scrimmaged Revere in the Benedetto Jamboree in December. Living next door in Lynn, Leary kept close tabs on the Revere program.

“I always felt that Revere was a hard-working, blue-collar-type community and those are definitely the type of kids that I enjoy coaching,” said Leary.

Leary will meet with returning Revere High basketball players this month to talk about summer and fall league play and expectations for the 2016-17 season. He is also seeking candidates for the Revere assistant coaching staff.

“We’ll be looking for junior varsity and freshman coaches, and possibly a part-time varsity assistant,” said Leary. “I’m hoping that people from the Revere community will want to be part of the program. I don’t really have any assistant coaches in mind that I’m bringing with me.”

He is excited to be working with Shea, who turned out a succession of State Tournament teams during his Hall of Fame-caliber coaching career.

 “I have a lot of respect for Frank Shea,” said Leary. “Obviously, he had a great career as a basketball coach so I’ll be able to go to him and reach out for his advice. He’s a pillar in the community so it’s an honor to work under a great guy and a great coach.”

Revere High School director of athletics Frank Shea (left) congratulates Dave Leary on his appointment as the new RHS boys head basketball coach at the Roland Merullo Fieldhouse Tuesday.

Revere High School director of athletics Frank Shea (left) congratulates Dave Leary on his appointment as the new RHS boys head basketball coach at the Roland Merullo Fieldhouse Tuesday.

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