Two assistant coaches will step up to head coach positions for the upcoming fall season.
The high school athletics department recently hired Liane Dixon as head coach for field hockey, and Zeke Vought as head coach for football.
Mr. Vought has been an assistant coach for the football team, and takes the reins after head coach Tony Mottola stepped down. A 1993 graduate of the regional high school, he played under longtime coach Donald Herman.
Mr. Vought works as an education support professional in the general education classes and compass program at the regional high school. He coached the junior high school football program for six years before joining the high school coaching staff in 2018.
Ms. Dixon is a physical education teacher at the regional high school. She grew up playing ice hockey and took up field hockey at the regional high school. After graduating in 2001, she went on to play field hockey for Northeastern University.
“I’m really excited…to get Liane on as our head coach, she was an outstanding player when she was here,” Mr. McCarthy said. “The kids really respect her, they respond well to her, they think she’s an excellent coach.”
The football team’s fall season was dealt a big blow when the Island Cup game against Nantucket was cancelled due to lack of players on the Vineyard side. When Mr. Mottola stepped down in February, Mr. Vought kept the weight room open so off-season training could continue “without a hitch,” said athletic directory Mark McCarthy.
“I’m excited to kind of renew some enthusiasm in the program…hopefully with a little bit of young blood,” said Mr. Vought. “I’m trying to bring in some young alumni coaches, guys who understand what it’s like to live here and play here.”
Mr. Vought said he hopes to attend junior high school practices with some of the high school players to participate and help coach. He also hopes to bolster flag football among the elementary school athletes, building the pipeline between schools to eventually stregnthen the high school team.
Creating a positive culture starts with the head coach, Mr. Vought added. He said he hopes to involve his players in community service to help nurture respectful leaders.
“I’m hoping to build that culture of having good character, being part of the community effort,” said Mr. Vought. “It starts with me and leading by example.”
Mr. McCarthy said he is pleased that both Ms. Dixon and Mr. Vought work at the regional high school, which allows them to monitor grades and makes them more accessible to student-athletes.
“I’m excited that all our fall coaches are in place,” he said.
This article appears in May 15, 2026.