PELHAM, N.H. — Dom Herrling and his basketball teammates were at practice on Friday afternoon when the news started to spread.
Six-time state champion Pelham High football coach Tom Babaian was stepping down.
“So shocked,” said Herrling, who rushed for 1,001 yards this past season, leading the Pythons to a Division II state title. “We were all warming up in basketball practice and the football guys had a meeting. We were all so shocked.”
Babaian compiled a career record of 141-97. Over the last four seasons, the Pythons won four straight state championships — the first two in Division III and the last two in Division II. Pelham currently has a 42-game winning streak, which is the third longest in the entire country.
Over his career, Babaian led six teams to state championships, with six undefeated seasons. He also guided the Pythons to Division V state titles in 2007 and 2008.
He began his coaching career as two-year assistant at Salem, N.H., before moving to Pelham as a one-year assistant before taking over as a head coach from 1996-2011, and then again from 2016-2023. He spent one year as the defensive coordinator at Nashua South in 2015.
Babaian played football at Salem (N.H.) High, and then attended both Plymouth State and Concordia University. He is currently the assistant principal at Pelham High.
Babaian announced his resignation on “X,” the format formally known as Twitter, and expressed many thank-yous.
“I have made the difficult decision to resign as Head Football Coach at Pelham High School, effective immediately,” he wrote. “This decision was not done in haste, instead with much thought and consideration. There are few things in this world that a person does that affect so many lives. This responsibility was something I tried hard to respect each day, on and off the field.
“My appreciation runs deep for all former and current players, parents, and community members. I have no regrets with the program I helped build over the years. The student-athletes that have played under my leadership, will always be special to me.”
Babaian went on and thanked his assistant coaches, as well as several school administrators and then his family.
“For the years of support and understanding of the commitment. Pelham Pride will always be a part of me. Thank you for allowing me to be your coach.”
Herrling said that Babaian is certainly a once-in-a-lifetime kind of coach.
“I knew he was going to retire sometime soon and this is probably a good time to do it after four titles,” said Herrling. “I’m just very grateful he was my coach. He is that guy you don’t want to mess with. (He’s all about) discipline. He will teach you the right way, so great at disciplining young men, great with weight lifting. He just gets you so ready for the rest of your life.”
Hector Longo contributed to this report