Daryle Weiss has a simple philosophy about teaching and coaching: “Give me the ‘toughest’ ones.”

The New Jersey native will be right in his element this fall at Rockland District High School, where he has joined the staff as a special education teacher and as the Tigers’ head football coach.

Weiss takes over a Rockland football program in transition. The Tigers, who had a combined 10-35 record since 1995 under former coach Gene Drinkwater, have ended their longtime affiliation with the LTC and have joined the Campbell Conference Class C Division.

In addition to tremendous enthusiasm and confidence, Weiss possesses a wealth of football knowledge from his nine years as an assistant in New Jersey. He is excited to have the opportunity to inject a renewed sense of optimism into the program.

“Things are going to be done one way, the right way,” said Weiss, who played his college ball at Kutztown University (Pa.). “We want to win and the kids are committed to this program.”

Rockland has only 28 players, but Weiss isn’t worried about numbers. In his first year as a coach, he led a 13-member freshman team at Immaculate Conception High in Montclair, N.J., to a 9-0 record.

“Ever since that experience, I learned that attitude is more important than anything else,” he said. “These kids I have here believe in themselves.”

Rockland athletic director Brian Plourde is thrilled to have a coach who’ll be accessible to the students.

“The problem we’ve had is we haven’t had any coaches who have been teachers,” Plourde said. “Having coaches in the schools is important for the kids.”

Rockland heads into the Campbell Conference – which includes Winthrop, Boothbay, Madison, Lisbon, Jay, Livermore Falls, Old Orchard Beach, Traip Academy of York, and Oak Hill of Sabattus – with a senior-laden squad. The Tigers will rely on the likes of senior quarterback-safety Jake LaBree, junior tailback-cornerback Mike Curtis, and senior fullback-linebacker Anthony Raye to set the tone.

The Tigers, who averaged only 6.7 points per game last season, will give opposing defenses something different to prepare for with their inverted wishbone attack. It is a balanced and versatile option-type alignment developed by a veteran New Jersey high school coach who went on to win more than 300 games and 18 state championships.

“It’s two fullbacks and one tailback. The fullbacks line up behind the guards,” said Weiss, who hopes to keep opponents guessing about the particulars until they’ve seen the offense first hand.

Seniors Devin Deabler, Ian Fish, and Aaron Lamb anchor the offensive line.

Rockland also will utilize many of its offensive starters on the defensive side. LaBree registered a league-high seven interceptions in 2000, while Raye and Campbell are the linebackers in the 5-2 base alignment.

It might take a while, but Weiss is convinced Rockland can become a consistently competitive team.

“We’ve got to be realistic about certain things. We’ve got to get the program headed in the right direction first,” he said.

ROCKLAND TIGERS

2000 results: 2-7, 8th in LTC Class C

Coach: Daryle Weiss, 1st year

Key players: Jake LaBree, QB-S, Sr.; Mike Curtis, TB-DB, Sr.; Anthony Raye, FB-LB, Sr.; Mike Campbell, FB-LB, Sr.; Brian Toothaker, TE-DE, Sr.; John Bonney, SE-DB, Sr.; Devin Deabler, OG-DE, Sr.; Ian Fish, OT-DT, Sr.; Aaron Lamb, OG-DT, Sr.; David Seavey, C-NG, Jr.; Brian Atherns, OT-DT, Soph.; Matt Baudanza, CB, Jr.; Jeff Cash, NG, Jr.

Outlook: The Tigers enter a new league with a first-year coach and a fresh outlook. Weiss is hoping to revitalize the area’s peewee and middle school programs to provide a strong feeder system for the high school. Winning the confidence and support of the Rockland community is another goal. The Tigers are waiting for the MPA’s OK to be eligible for the conference playoffs this season.