WOODBURY – As we near the end of the 2025-2026 school year two things are noticeable with the girls track and cross country teams: they’re competing at a high level and the other is the lack of a long time NHS coach. The previous girls coach spent 34 years at Nonnewaug where he’s won over 40 BL titles and multiple state titles. But this season, a new voice, or rather, pair of voices, is leading the huddle for boys and girls track & field at NHS this spring.
The team promoted coach Joe Flaherty to become the next girls head coach prior to the 2026 indoor season.
“The coaches are on the same page about everything,” said Sydney Caccioto, NHS sophomore and track veteran. “I think them being husband and wife is what keeps the team so well managed.”
Flaherty took a big jump from assistant coach to head coach this year.
“I knew taking on the head coach position was going to be a challenge but exciting,” said Flaherty. “There are head coach responsibilities such as developing the event strategy for meets, planning practices, and communication with athletes and parents that I didn’t have to contend with as an assistant coach but are critical to get right when you are a head coach.”
Flaherty gets to work alongside his wife ,Deb Flaherty, who has been the boys head coach for multiple years.
”Co-coaching with Mrs. Flaherty is of course one of the reasons I wanted to take this on,” said Joe Flaherty. “We decided together that building a team culture based on respect, pride, work ethic, and accountability as well as performance and points meant implementing some change rather than filling shoes.”
Flaherty first started coaching when he took over for experienced throwers coach Don Maki back in 2023.
“Three years ago I started as a volunteer assistant coach because Nonnewaug couldn’t find a throws coach,” said Flaherty. “My favorite part is definitely the people here. We have a great group of student athletes, and an incredibly supportive teaching staff and administration. I am proud to be a part of it.”
“I like how dedicated he is to all of us and how understanding he is, ” says Cacciato. “He is also just overall a great person and truly cares about each and every one of us.”
The team has managed to perform at a high level while also having fun on the track.
“Track is a very demanding sport and our athletes show up and put in the work each practice,” said Joe Flaherty. “Our undefeated regular season record, dozens of personal bests, BL qualifiers and States qualifiers shows that it is possible to win and still manage to have some fun.”
Joe Flaherty has a very hard job because of the fact that he coaches both the whole girls team and is the throwing coach so he has to do a million little things all at once.
“He can’t do everything but he still tries,” said Timothy Romaniuk-Chan, NHS sophomore and track thrower. “There is always something going on with the girls team that he has to pay attention to, like injuries. He usually tries to get one of the assistant coaches to stay with the throwers and make sure no one gets hurt.”
Beyond looking out for player safety, Joe Flaherty’s expertise is what his athletes truly appreciate.
“Even if he spends less time with the throwers he teaches/tells the throwing captains what to do and what he expects of them to do,” said Romaniuk-Chan.
Overall, Joe Flaherty has had an outstanding first year as head coach and he continues to help the team achieve greatness in preparation for Saturday’s championships at Plum Hill Middle School.
“As with all changes there can be some bumps along the way,” Joe Flaherty said. “But as we head into the final week before the BL Championship it is clear we have a cohesive team with athletes that step up and put the team ahead of themselves.”
