The Herbsts Honor Jerry McDougall

Mike Herbst:

"There are no words adequate enough to express my feelings towards Coach McDougall. Jerry was a part of my family's life for 36+ years. He hired me as a coach right out of college when I was a substitute teacher in Trumbull trying to procure a full-time job teaching. Jerry gave me my first and only opportunity at that point, which I will never forget. I watched his children grow up to become the great people that they are now. My family was with him when his wife Lolly passed away from the same leukemia.

He taught me everything I know about coaching, especially football, and helped me develop my philosophy of coaching to what it has become today. People will talk about him as a legend of Trumbull High School, which he undeniably was, but few people knew how wonderful a human being he was also. The number of people, in and out of this town, he helped with life's problems was incredibly high but he never wanted anyone else to know about it.

He established the direction of the athletic programs at THS and the pride, attitude, desire and sacrifice (PADS) mentality that goes with them. He demanded the same hard work from the coaches that he demanded from the players. You could never outwork him when it came to developing a game plan and the implementation of that game plan. He loved life and lived it to his fullest in the time I worked with him. He will be greatly missed by those that truly knew him."

Tim Herbst:

"Today, Trumbull has lost one of its most cherished residents and I have lost a mentor and friend. I have known Jerry McDougall my entire life and I consider it one of life's great privileges in knowing him, knowing his family and playing football for him.

When people think about Trumbull's athletic programs, they think of Jerry McDougall. Coach McDougall put Trumbull athletics on the map when he arrived here in the Trumbull Public School system more than four decades ago. As a coach, Jerry McDougall earned a reputation for being a fierce competitor who had the respect of his athletes and his fellow coaches. Coach McDougall did more than coach his athletes. He taught us about respect, teamwork, leadership and perseverance. He often spoke of Trumbull PADS: pride, attitude, desire and sacrifice. They are words that all of us have carried with us and applied to our life's work. I am proud to say that I played football for Coach Jerry McDougall.

In a life of good fortune, he valued above all the gracious gift of his wife, Lollie. We take solace in knowing that today Coach McDougall is at peace, free of pain and reunited with Lollie in Heaven."