Smoke Signals Photo

Coach Joe Chirico encourages junior TaJada Hooten.

“WeNotMe.” 

It’s spelled out across the back of every helmet. It is a phrase that means a lot to this football program. A phrase that Head Coach Joe Chirico helps the team live by.

“WeNotMe stands for servant leadership,” said Chirico. “I’m not going to tell you to do something. I’m going to show you how to do it. I’m going to be in the ditch digging with you. I would rather see you succeed than me. A big part of being a role model is trying to do what I say and say what I do.”

Chirico has been the head football coach at GRC for four years, coming over from Paintsville. Paintsville, a 1A school, only has an enrollment of around 500 kids. GRC, a 6A school, has an enrollment of around 1600 kids. Despite the difference in size, Chirico is not affected as much as people would think.

“It’s not as big a transition as people think,” said Chirico. “It’s still X’s and O’s and getting kids in the right spot and playing hard.”

Chirico has transitioned smoothly to Clark County, implementing himself in this community. 

“We enjoy this community. Being here every day is great,” said Chirico. “We enjoy our time here. There’s a lot of things in town I like doing like playing golf.”

When Chirico is not leading a football team, he is spending quality time with the people he cares about the most.

“I like spending time with my family,” said Chirico. “Spending time with my family is probably the main thing I really enjoy. I have a new granddaughter so I enjoy being with her a lot.”

With football, Chirico’s goals have remained the same every year.

“We’re trying to win as many games as we can in the regular season, win all the playoff games, and win the state title,” said Chirico. “The goal stays the same no matter where you are. It just takes hard work.”

Chirico has made a noticeable impact on the program, but the change he has made in his players’ lives is even greater.

“Coach Chirico showed me ways to be a better man,” said senior Kamden McCalpin. “He is a great leader. The wisdom he gives me means a lot more than coaching football.”

Players have grown into better people due to Chirico’s impact.

“Coach Chirico has taught me about integrity and how to do what is best when nobody is watching,” said senior Jones Howard. “He provided the foundation of hard work through all aspects of life to get me where I want to go.”

Senior Zaydin Turner adds how Chirico has influenced him. 

“Coach Chirico has impacted me by pushing me hard everyday to be the best player I can ever be,” said Turner. “He believes in me and he knows I can accomplish my goals and ambitions.”