Photo credit: Southington Sports website
As we near championship weekend in high school football, a former local standout stepped down after a very successful run at a tradition-rich program.
Bristol’s Mike Drury is done after 13 seasons and a pair of state championships at Southington High School.
“It is with a heavy heart that I am making the decision to step down as Head Football Coach at Southington High School,” Drury wrote in a letter that he shared on X. “There are only two reasons why this decision was made and their names are George and Murphy. My two sons, who need more of their Dad during these stages of their lives.”
Drury’s Southington teams beat Fairfield Prep in 2013 and Norwich Free Academy in 2014 to win back-to-back state championships. Drury mentored hundreds of Blue Knights in his time as head coach, and many people reached out to wish him the best.
“Thanks for everything Coach!!!!,” Southington defensive line coach Bill Liquindoli wrote on X. “You and the entire BKF family were there for the hardest time in my life in 2022 with the passing of my daughter Natalie. I’ll never ever forget what you, the coaches and players did for my family!!! Enjoy your time with your family!!!”
“Without question one of the most respected coaches in CT,” Maloney High defensive line coach/special teams coordinator Aidan Lynch wrote on X. “We’re losing one of the really good guys in our profession!! Enjoy the time with your kids!!”
Drury lives in Bristol with his wife Deann and their sons George, 6, and Murphy, 3. He played football and wrestled at Bristol Central, and he was all-state in both sports. Drury played four years of football at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. He earned first team All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and All-American honors while playing linebacker for the Red Foxes.
