Published on: Thursday, February 21, 2013

By Brandy L. Simms

Less than two years after taking over the Sherwood High football program, Mike Bonavia has resigned as head coach at the Sandy Spring public school.

Sources say Bonavia has accepted an administrative position at another school.

“I guess that’s the best move for him and his family,” said one source.

Bonavia’s departure means Sherwood will be searching for its fifth head coach since 2008 when Al Thomas guided the Warriors to the Class 4A state championship before stepping down. Thomas was replaced by Pat Cilento who spent one season at Sherwood before accepting the head coaching position at Bullis. Marc Thomas, Al’s son, guided the Warriors to a 10-2 record during the 2010 campaign before he resigned in the offseason.

During his two-year stint at Sherwood, Bonavia compiled a 16-7 record including a 10-3 mark last season.

Bonavia replaced Marc Thomas at Sherwood in March 2011 after a four-year stint at Einstein where he compiled a 17-23 record. He spent eleven seasons at the helm of the Richard Montgomery football program where he went 57-55 and guided the Rockville public school to three playoff appearances.

Meanwhile, Quince Orchard head coach Dave Mencarini said former Sherwood assistant Chuck Oswald and former Whitman head coach Dean Swink have both agreed to join his staff at the Gaithersburg public school. Oswald, an Olney area resident, will coach the offensive line according to Mencarini while Swink’s duties have yet to be determined.