Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School welcomed former Varsity Head Coach of Wheaton High School, Matt Schwartzback to take the helm of the Barons Varsity Football Team for the 2024 season. Coach Schwartzback, already familiar with B-CC football players, has an impressive background coaching other MCPS football teams. This fall, Coach Schwartzback improved Wheaton’s football team record, from being winless to earning three wins in just one year. He also had a very successful career at Richard Montgomery as coach of the Junior Varsity Team.
Coach Schwartzback has some big shoes to fill as departing Head Coach Ben Minturn was extremely successful in his six seasons with the Barons. Athletic Director, Mike Krawcel, said, “Minturn did a fantastic job, and we were hoping he would ride it out to the end. He started with 20 players, ended up with 100, and built the program into what it is now.” In November, Coach Minturn helped the Barons to the school’s first home playoff game in 25 years with a win against Wheaton and led them to an impressive 24-7 upset win on the road against Paint Branch High School. As such, Coach Schwartzback is inheriting a winning team that ended their year playing in the 4A State quarterfinals.
There was an interest meeting held on Feb. 1 for the upcoming 2024 team. Returning Jnior John Dale hopes the team builds on their success from the 2023 season. He said, “It is a great opportunity, and we have big expectations for next year.”