Marty Gordon
NRVSports@ourvalley.org
Seth Dooley
Alex Wilkens was a mainstay of the Glenvar High School staff when defensive end Seth Dooley was on the roster. Now Wilkens is the head coach at Christiansburg, and for the past four years, Dooley has played at Virginia Tech.
This past spring, Dooley (6-5, 245 pounds) graduated and told the Hokies he would not return for his final year of eligibility. He said he was looking to opportunities outside of college football after graduating with a degree in Human Development.
It now looks like he will help his former Glenvar coach at his new school as a volunteer assistant coach. Dooley will serve as assistant for Wilkens at Christiansburg High School.
Aside from the experience he has playing major college football, Wilkens believes Seth brings loyalty, a team-first attitude, a strong work ethic, great character, and high energy to his staff.
Dooley was a second team Group-A all-state selection as a linebacker while at Glenvar, helping to lead the team to its second playoff berth. He finished his senior year with 93 solo tackles with 22 for loss and four sacks. He also led the team in rushing with 72 yards and 11 touchdowns.
As a junior, he registered 90 tackles and 8.5 sacks. During his time in Blacksburg was limited as he fought off injuries, but coming out of last season, he had been listed as a possible starter at defensive end. Dooley registered 12 tackles as a Hokie, but did play in 12 games this past season.
“I think that people, our players included, look at Seth and his experiences and get immediately excited to soak up what he has to tell you about football and the weight room. But what a lot of people don’t know about Seth is that Seth is the best teammate I’ve ever coached and is the hardest worker I’ve ever coached in the weight room,” Wilkens said.
“Seth had natural ability as a player and had great genes but anyone who knows Seth from high school and college knows that he worked his tail off to get where he got as a player. Not only did Seth work his tail off in the weight room, but he had to work his tail off in the classroom as well.”
Wilkens believes Dooley will bring a wealth of knowledge about football and about weight lifting and a selfless “team-first attitude” to the Blue Demon staff.
“Seth is just a very positive, likable guy. Everyone has loved having him around so far,” the new Christiansburg coach said.
Wilkens hopes to add at least two other assistant coaches before the season begins next month.
