Perrone bypassed in choice of Wolverines' 2025 coach

WARRENSBURG | Mike Perrone, who won championships as the head coach of the Warrensburg-Lake George/Bolton Wolverines football team, was bypassed in the three schools' choice for leading the team for the 2025 season — and the decision dismayed many dozens of fans, present and former players and their parents. Likely to be confirmed as the Wolverines' new head coach is former Queensbury football coach John Irion, who won multiple championships years ago during his tenure with the Spartans. The choice of Irion to mentor the Wolverines was announced April 3 on the websites of Warrensburg and Lake George Central School Districts. The Lake George school board is expected to formally approve Irion taking on the position at their April 8 board meeting. Perrone and Irion and other candidates for the post were interviewed by officials of the three schools, but Perrone was excluded from a second round of interviews. Perrone coached the Wolverines for the last three seasons and mentored Warrensburg's solo team for six years beforehand. In his tenure as head coach of the programs, Perrone amassed an extraordinary win-loss record of 65-18. This record is believed to be the best in Section II during that era. From 2015 through 2024, his football teams won three Section II championships and one regional title, and they earned a berth in the state Final Four. Since the football merger three years ago, Perrone and his assistants led the Wolverines to a 29-2 record. The 2024 team was ranked No. 1 in the state and expected to win the state Class D championship — but their season was canceled by the three schools after an alleged incident on a Lake George school bus that resulted in the arrest of two Lake George student-athletes. The incident, in which Perrone had no involvement, prompted the Warrensburg Central administration to sideline Perrone from coaching basketball for the 2024-25 season, upsetting hundreds of community members. Although Perrone was suspended temporarily from coaching, his position as the head coach of the Warrensburg baseball team was approved in mid-February. Perrone recently posted on his personal Facebook page that he was disappointed over not being chosen to coach the Wolverines. "I truly believe our coaching staff was one of the best in all of Section II," he said. "The love, time, and passion we dedicated to these players and the program were second to none…I believe the culture and family-like atmosphere over our tenure was truly special." Perrone also thanked his former football players for their dedication and hard work. "The victories, championships, love, and memories are something that can never be taken away," he said. "More importantly, I consider you all family, and I'll forever be here for you no matter what. I wish all my former athletes the best moving forward." As of April 6, his Facebook statement prompted 184 comments, virtually all of them praising Perrone for his tenure. Many of the comments criticized the school administrators' decision, and dozens of them described how Perrone inspired students to achieve their highest potential and uphold high standards of conduct. One former Wolverine player said, "You'll be remembered as the greatest Warrensburg coach of all time," he said. "(You) completely turned an upside-down program into a powerhouse in very little time." Another former player said on behalf of Wolverine alumni, "We appreciate the dedication you put into the program," he said, noting that Perrone and his assistant coaches mentored the team as if it was a college program. "(You) definitely made me a better player/person!" A parent of a local athlete expressed similar thoughts. "You're more than just a coach; you're a mentor and a role model who has made a lasting impact on the lives of your players," she said. "Your dedication, passion, and love for the game are truly inspiring." In an interview April 6 for The Sun, Perrone said he has been contacted by officials of other schools who have expressed interest in hiring him as a coach. "This is a lot to take in, and I'm trying to process it all and make the best decision going forward," he said, adding that he will be making decisions about his future "in a month or so." Perrtone added that he is proud of his tenure. "I appreciate all the people who reached out and expressed how profound an impact we had as a coaching staff, and that's what it's all about — including helping them get into college and playing at the next level." He continued that it was tough for him to recognize that his time coaching the Wolverines had concluded. "It's tough knowing it's over, but I'm proud and happy about what we did, and wherever I end up, I'll have the same passion for the game and dedication to the players and the program that I have had with the Wolverines." IRION's PROMINENT CAREER Irion also has an outstanding record in high school football. During his 20 years coaching football at Queensbury High, he won a state championship in 2013 and reached the state finals three additional times. He also coached at Granville from 2016 through 2019 and was an assistant coach for South Glens Falls for the last four years. In the statement posted on the Warrensburg and Lake George central websites, the school superintendents noted Irion's accomplishments. "His commitment to sportsmanship and character development aligns closely with our districts' mission, vision and values," they said, noting his "proven ability to develop athletes both on and off the field." Perrone expressed support for the Wolverine players as they move into a new era. "I wish the best for the football players and want to see them do well, and I'll be rooting for them from the sidelines," he said. "They are great kids, and they mean the world to me."

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Perrone bypassed in choice of Wolverines' 2025 coach

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