MDI board approves Shields for football

Mark Shields has been named the football coach at Mount Desert Island High School.

Shields takes over from George “Toogie” McKay who resigned in March after 22 years as the Trojans’ head coach.

Shields was approved by the MDI school board at its meeting Monday night. He has served as an assistant under McKay for the last six years and has been the offensive coordinator for the last two.

“I think we’ve had some tough seasons at MDI. I have a great deal of respect for Toogie McKay. He hired me seven years ago and I have learned a lot from him,” Shields said.

MDI athletic director Bunky Dow said that the school’s search team interviewed two applicants. Dow said four of the school’s football players were involved in the interview process and all were sold on Shields.

“He has a lot of respect from the kids in school. He’s well liked,” Dow said.

Shields, 30, played high school football at Skowhegan and played in a Class A state championship game loss to Marshwood in 1989. Shields attended the University of Maine-Presque Isle and is a physical education teacher at MDI.

The Trojans finished 2-7 last year. Shields believes a feeder program developed three years ago, the Acadian Football League, will benefit the program.

“I think we can be successful, but it’s going to take time. To play with the Belfasts, the Brewers, that’s a stretch for us now. It’s a pretty tough schedule but I think we can be competitive,” Shields said.