St. Francis hockey coach Kinsella retires

5/1/2012

Brian Kinsella has turned the keys to the St. Francis de Sales hockey program over to his assistant.

Chris Varga, who handled the forwards under Kinsella, is the new head coach for the Knights.

Kinsella retired after guiding St. Francis for five seasons and leading the team to its first state title in school history in 2011.

The Knights posted a 110-41-16 record under Kinsella.

Before joining the St. Francis staff, Varga and Kinsella coached the Toledo Cherokees Junior B team. Kinsella served as an assistant under Varga for the Cherokees who finished as runner-up in the national championships in 2007.

Kinsella, 58, who has diabetes, said his doctors advised him to give up coaching because the stress was affecting his condition.

"I'm in fairly good health now and I want to enjoy [retirement]," he said.

Kinsella has been involved in hockey for 52 years, including three seasons as a forward with the Toledo Goaldiggers. He won three Turner Cup titles as a player, including two with the Goaldiggers.

Varga also was the head coach at Bedford for four seasons.

"Chris and I have coached for many years together," Kinsella said. "It was just that someone had to have the title of head coach. We were always on the same wave length. He has a good feel for how to handle the team."

Kennedy leaves

St. Francis swimming coach Keith Kennedy has resigned.

Kennedy, who led the Knights to runner-up finishes at the state meet in 2010 and 2011, will take the position of head coach of San Clemente Aquatics in southern California.

Kennedy has coached St. Francis since 2000. The Knights finished third at state as a team last season.