POOLESVILLE, Md. (DC News Now) — After a few years away from the game, Mike Neubeiser is back coaching football.
Ten years ago, Neubeiser led Northwest high school to back-to-back state titles, in 2013 and 2014. It’s a memory his players, he and his family remember well.
“It was so exciting to see him and everyone just so happy and that they did well,” Zoe Neubeiser, Mike’s daughter, said. “The work really paid off.”
Now a senior in high school, Zoe, sometimes stood with Mike on the sidelines during games when she was young.
“From as young as I can remember, I’ve been to all the Northwest football games to support,” Zoe said. “I’ve been on the sidelines too.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Neubeiser stepped away after nine years as the Jaguars’ head coach to spend more time with family. His reasoning for stepping away though, was the same reason he decided to return to the sidelines – the opportunity to coach his daughter.
“I thought it was a neat idea that they were doing it,” Mike said. “Zoe and I talked about it a little bit and I was like wow that would actually be a really neat opportunity to be able to coach my daughter and coach some great kids and teach the game that I love, that I’ve always loved since I was a kid.”
When the announcement was made, Mike and Zoe both instantly wanted to team up at Poolesville.
“I kind of really really pushed for him to be our coach,” Zoe said.
Mike is now leading the way as Poolesville’s head girls flag football coach, while Zoe plays on the defensive side of the ball.
“If we were allowed to wear pads, she would be like All-American,” Mike said. “As a dad it’s such a unique opportunity. When you have two daughters and you’re a football coach, you don’t get to coach your kids, it’s just a given you know, unless you pick up a different sport. To have the opportunity to be able to coach my daughter doing the sport that I love, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
For Zoe, whose earliest memories include watching her father coach, it’s full circle to now play for him.
“It’s really amazing seeing him and all of my friends interact,” Zoe said. “Seeing him passionate about something and we can share that passion together and spend time together.”
Under Neubeiser, the Falcons are out to a 3-0 start, looking like championship contenders.
“It’s been really neat. I think it’s empowering for women and for girls,” Mike said. “They’ve shown more improvement in such a short amount of time, more than any team I’ve ever coached.
This season, Mike will have the chance to celebrate another championship win with Zoe.
“It would be really exciting and happy and a really beautiful moment,” Zoe said.
