After 37 years as an assistant coach in the Mahoning Valley, Larry Kempe finally earned a shot to be the head coach of a varsity football team.

He was hired early this year by Ursuline High, where he was an assistant coach the past eight seasons under Dan Reardon. Kempe’s career as the man in charge is off to a good start as the Irish have won their first three games.

Ursuline is ranked No. 2 in the state in Division V according to the first Associated Press poll of the season. This week they visit Zanesville, also 3-0, and ranked seventh in the Division II poll.

Q. What have you liked about your team’s progress through the first three games of the season?

A. I like the way we are getting better as the games progress and I like how we have been getting better since we started practice in June. It is a week-to-week process. We have made pretty good strides and we continue to grow.

Q. You gave up 18 points in the first two quarters of the season and then 19 in the subsequent 10 quarters. Talk about your defense.

A. Our philosophy defensively here since I was defensive coordinator and today is we have got to be able to run and be aggressive. Twelve of the 37 points we’ve given up have been against the kick team. Our goal is to make sure we keep the ball in front of us and rally to the ball quickly.

Q. How did your first season of two-a-days as a head coach go? Do you plan any changes for next year?

A. It’s a learning process as you go along, but I’ve been in coaching for 38 years and I’ve formulated a plan I thought would work for our numbers in the low 30s. I’ve been very pleased. In the first three games we’ve had just one cramp and it has been hot. The kids have worked hard and bought in to what we are trying to do.

Q. Talk about the mindset of the team coming off a 4-6 season.

A. We had our first meetings back before I was hired and I started talking to the kids and the philosophy I have pounded into their heads is Youngstown Ursuline football. I am big on Youngstown Ursuline football being a 15-week program. We know we didn’t meet our expectations last year and we have worked on our mistakes and we continue to grow to a 15-week program. With that in mind, our players have done a good job understanding the goals of the program.

Q. Did you make many changes on the coaching staff or have things remained pretty much the same?

A. On offense three of our four coaches are Ursuline grads and the same numbers are true on defense. The majority of the staff has been with us at Ursuline for a long period of time. We have strong Ursuline roots on our staff and they understand what Ursuline football is about. They do a very great job and I am very pleased with the staff.

Q. What do you know about Zanesville, your opponent this week?

A. Zanesville is a Division II team with three wins and they are scoring 40 to 45 points a game. They give you a lot to look at offensively with different formations and their defense is very aggressive. We enjoy our schedule and we know we have to be ready to play every week. If not, negative things can happen. Zanesville is just our newest challenge. They are very big up front and their skill players are very good.

Q. What about the schedule? Do the players realize they are playing, year in and year out, one of the most difficult schedules in the state?

A. We don’t even think about it. I have said on numerous occasions that we are playing the schedule we play because of who we are and who we’ve been in the past. We don’t question it. We are taking a three-hour trip to Zanesville this week and we expect the kids to play at a high level. We are well aware of who we play and I will never say it’s too hard. We are Youngstown Ursuline.

We are away for the next month. We have Zanesville, then we have St. Edward, Erie Cathedral Prep and Steubenville. I don’t know anyone in this state who is going to play those teams back-to-back-to back on the road. That is our challenge and we are going to do it.

Q. Has the identity of the team changed with you as head coach?

A. Anything I have changed from the previous success, the kids know where I’m coming from. I don’t hide my emotions, either displeasure or happiness, with how they are performing. With me, what you see is what you get. The kids have responded to me, both the plusses and the minuses. I am a verbal guy and they know where I’m coming from. I am up front and honest, there are no secrets with me. Here is what we are going to do and we will do it, period. The kids have a real good understanding of what I am about.

Interview by Vindicator sports reporter Doug Chapin.