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Hedrick has high hopes for Eagles By DON HUNT Mail Tribune After 10 successful seasons as the head football coach at Ontario High School, Harry Hedrick wanted a new challenge. Come September, he'll get one. Hedrick, 45, was named Eagle Point High's new coach on Friday. "I wanted to move up, and in my opinion, I'm going to the best football conference in the state," Hedrick said by phone from Ontario on Monday. "I think I have the background to be successful at that level and I think it can happen at Eagle Point." Hedrick was also hired as a physical education instructor at Eagle Point. Known for his innovative offenses and standout quarterbacks, Hedrick posted a 72-33 record in his 10 seasons at Ontario. His teams advanced to the state playoffs six times. His 1996 squad made it to the Class 3A state championship game and his '97 squad won the title, only to later have it stripped away because of an ineligible player. "Harry hit all the criteria that we were looking for," Eagle Point Athletic Director Bob Bergen said. "He has a reputation as an excellent teacher, an excellent coach and he's a real personable guy who should fit into our community real well. "He really fit the mold of what we were looking for. We feel fortunate to get him." Hedrick developed a number of all-conference quarterbacks in the Greater Oregon League, most notably former University of Oregon and current Philadelphia Eagles signal-caller A.J. Feeley. "I think maybe that's been my forte - developing quarterbacks," Hedrick said. "I've had some who were good at running the option and others, like Feeley, who were great throwing quarterbacks. I've always tried to match the personnel to the offense and not just run the same offense every year." Hedrick plans a trip to Eagle Point next month and hopes to meet with players and prospective assistant coaches. "Our spring vacation is a different week than theirs and so I'm hoping to come by during school and get to know the kids a little bit," said Hedrick, who hopes to buy a house in Eagle Point by June. Hedrick has had coaching stints at Idaho State, UNLV and Boise State, where he spent two seasons as that school's offensive coordinator. In 1988, he entered the high school ranks, first as the offensive coordinator at Caldwell High in Idaho, where he helped that school to the state finals three times. In 1992, Hedrick took over the program at Ontario, where he would endure just one losing season. "It's going to be a challenge," Hedrick said of his new assignment. "I know who's in that league and how tough it is to win against teams like Roseburg, Ashland, Grants Pass and the Medford schools. "You never want to bite off more than you can chew, but I think the elements are in place at Eagle Point to get the job done. When I interviewed there, I felt a good commitment from the administration and the school." Hedrick hopes to get his staff together in March and begin mapping out a summer schedule that will include a passing league and team camp. Hedrick is married and has a son, Casey, 17, and a daughter, Erin, 11. Casey Hedrick will be a senior next fall. The 6-foot-2, 170-pounder was an honorable mention all-conference safety for Ontario last season. He is currently a starting forward on the school's basketball team and also plays baseball. Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.