Back in 2013, Dave Fazio helped salvage a tough situation with the Andover High golf team.
Indian Ridge Country Club was re-doing its greens, and Fazio helped find a home for the team at his own club, Renaissance in Haverhill. And when the opportunity to coach the team arose, the dean of area basketball coaches leaped at it.
Twelve years later, Andover High golf remains a perennial Merrimack Valley Conference power – as it has throughout Fazio’s tenure – but the coach is moving on and the program is coming home.
“Renaissance hosted our team for 12 years, and it’s been amazing there. We couldn’t be more thankful for them to have us there,” said Fazio.
But with Fazio moving on, new coach Jack Sheridan has helped the program return to its home this fall.
“We’re going back to Indian Ridge. They’ve graciously accepted us back, which a lot of parents are very happy about,” said Sheridan, a social studies and special education teacher at Andover High. “A lot of our players are members at Indian Ridge, and they know the course pretty well. I think we’ll have some success there for sure.”
Fazio, who will be back on the bench this winter for his 37th season as the Andover High boys hoop boss, recently turned 60 and says it’s just time to step back and enjoy a little bit more free time.
“I have a bucket list that I would like to take care of,” said Fazio. “It starts in September where (wife) Colleen and I are taking a trip to Italy.
“It was just the right time, with Indian Ridge stepping up for us, and I know the program is in good hands.”
Sheridan, who grew up in Lowell, will get an assist from a legend as well as former Andover High great Colin Brennan will be helping out with the program this fall.
“I’m super-excited. I’ve got 11 returning kids. ‘Faz’ has left me in a really, really good spot,” said Sheridan, who is also the Director of the Model UN Club at the school. “I’ve got a ton of support from (Athletic Director Wayne Puglisi) and his office. So I’m super-excited to get started. I love golf myself. I play at my club 4-5 times a week. I’m excited to get out there and work with these kids. I’ve had some of them in class, we have good relationships built already. I just want to see them be successful.”
Among the top Warriors back in the fold are junior Lucas Jenney, who was a first-team all-conference choice in 2024, and second teamers James Dunham and Vincent Giaimo.