Glen McNamee’s first experience with the brilliance of George Chaump happened well south of Landis Field.
Following a five-year stint as an assistant football coach and academic coordinator at Lenior-Rhyne University in North Carolina, McNamee joined Chaump’s coaching staff at Central Dauphin in July, 2002.
The Rams were Pennsylvania’s preseason No. 1 in Class 4A, led by dominant skill players Mike Probst and future Big 33 picks Ardon Bransford and Brent Wise.
In what seemed like hours after his arrival, McNamee and the Rams were headed to Alabama’s famed Hoover High to compete in a national 7-on-7 showcase.
“Obviously, I was new to the area but I had heard a lot about George, mostly his legendary film sessions and meetings. He didn’t disappoint,” said McNamee, nearing his 14th season as Central Dauphin’s head coach.
“We were invited to this massive 7-on-7 tournament and we lost our first game on the first day of that tournament. I’ll never forget the adjustments he made that night in the hotel room. He spent the night tailoring our offense in a 7-on-7 offense. We went undefeated the next day.”
McNamee mentioned that the assistant coaches under Chaump “didn’t always have an enormous amount of responsibilities” because he did so much of the heavy lifting by himself.
“We would be running first team defense and he would be running the scout team offense and making adjustments on defense at the same time. That’s difficult to do,” McNamee said.
“I think the biggest thing that stands out was his desire to prepare and have the kids be prepared. We would run plays over and over until it was done right. If that meant we run the play for four hours, we ran the play for four hours.”
The Chaump family issued this statement on Monday:
“Thank you for the outpouring of love and support for our dear husband, father, and grandfather. We are deeply saddened by his loss. He was extremely devoted to his family, friends, players and fellow coaches and taught us all how to put others first. We are grateful for the indelible mark he has left on our lives and the legacy that will live on through all those whose lives he touched.”
For current Harrisburg head coach Calvin Everett, Chaump’s overall support, on and off the field, is what earned him eternal respect.
“I could go on and on about so many different things. Honestly, I don’t know where to begin,” said Everett. “He meant a lot to our community and our athletic program. All the accomplishments and accolades are amazing. For me, to have someone like that inmy corner was such an asset.
“I was able to talk to him before games, after games, and even as he got older he would tell me he wanted to call me at halftime during games. Just to have him as a support system, I enjoyed every minute of it.”
Everett spent five seasons on Chaump’s coaching staff before taking over for his mentor in 2010. Chaump’s recommendation helped secure the hire.
“He meant everything for my coaching career. He hired me, and from that point on he supported me,” Everett said. “There was something in me that he took to.”
Harrisburg has recently enjoyed three of its most successful seasons since Chaump’s championship teams at John Harris, winning two District 3 titles and competing in two PIAA finals since 2016.
A funeral service for George Chaump will be held at 1 p.m. on Sat. June 1 at Pine Street Presbyterian Church, 310 N. Third St., in Harrisburg.