New Bern High School Football Staff Member of the Week: Coach Dunn

"This team has the ability and talent to go all the way when we play Bearball and believe in ourselves."

- Coach Dunn

The Bears are hosting a second-round State Playoff game this Friday against Seventy-First High School from Fayetteville. It will be an exciting spectacle as the Bears are kicking off the postseason as the number one seed in the East region.

With the Bears coming off the bye week, I had the chance to interview one of the hardest working members on the staff, Coach Dunn. While teaching -- at New Bern High, Coach Dunn also serves as the varsity “A backs coach, CO-Special Teams coordinator, JV offensive coordinator, Equipment manager & Technology person.” Coach is a busy man and he gives 100 percent towards every task that he faces each day. Dunn also expects his players to give 100 percent in practice, the classroom, and on the game field.

For those that don’t Coach Dunn too well, he is a New Bern guy. When asked about himself, Coach told me, “I was born and raised in New Bern. My family is extremely important to me. I have played and coached in 2 football state championship games, losing both, unfortunately.”

Although he is still young, he has had quite the coaching journey, which has helped him get to where is today. “I started coaching during my sophomore year of college at Parrott in Kinston. I volunteered there for 3 years coaching football and softball. After graduation, I wasn’t able to coach due to working in the family construction business for the next 2 years. When I began teaching at White Oak High in Jacksonville, I returned to coaching."

“While at WOHS I coached the Offensive line (2 years), A’s, B’s, and WRs (1 year), JV OC (2 years), and JV Head Coach (1 year). After being at WOHS for 3 years I had an opportunity to return to Parrott as both a teacher and coach. While I was only there for a year I was a varsity assistant, JV head coach, and OC. As the JV HC, we won all but 1 game and won the conference championship game, and the varsity team lost in the state championship. The following season I took a position here at NBHS as the running backs coach. Now in my second year at NBHS, I am the A Backs coach, JV OC, and co-special teams coordinator.”

Because Coach Dunn has so easily become part of the New Bern high family, many would find it hard to believe that Coach Dunn didn’t attend New Bern High School. So where did he play football in high school? “I didn’t begin playing football until I was in 7th grade. Once in high school, I played on the varsity team for 3 years and was a 2-year starter at center. In my junior year we lost in the state championship, and my senior year we lost in the semifinals. After graduating from Parrott I knew I wanted to become a football coach.”

Although he didn’t attend New Bern High School. Coach Dunn has always aspired to be a part of the Bears’ experience. “I always wanted to be part of the school community here. I was born and raised in New Bern and there was always something inside of me that wanted to be a Bear.”

Coach has noticed a big difference in his players this season. “The team is a lot more disciplined this year than last. The team has also bought into what Coach Nowell and the coaching staff are building. With the team buying in they are playing like a team and brotherhood and not as individuals.” This discipline and commitment is something this coaching staff has instilled since day one on campus.

So what has the coaching staff done to get the best out of these players? “As a coaching staff, we try to make practice Monday-Thursday harder than the game on Friday night. We demand a lot of the players and expect them to give their best effort 100% of the time.”

Coach Dunn, just like every coach on staff, is dedicated to helping Coach Nowell put New Bern Football back on top. Coach Nowell’s vision has not only united the staff and players but it is beginning to unite a community.

The Bears will take one step closer to their ultimate goal this Friday playing on Bobby Curlings Field inside of Caruso Coates Stadium, at 7:30 PM as they take on Seventy-First in the second round of the State Playoffs.

Coach Dunn is our New Bern High School Football Staff Member of the Week! Go Bears!