Twenty-two years ago, Coach Dusty Trail became a part of the Bishop Carroll community as assistant to then head coach Alan Schuckman.  Over the last two decades, Trail has been dedicated to not only the football aspect of Bishop Carroll, but to the community in general.

                “His 22 years here is one of the main reasons we are successful as a program,” Athletic Director Larry Dostert said. Dostert also praised Trail’s dedication, not only to football program but also to Bishop Carroll.

                After his promotion on Tuesday from offensive coordinator to head coach of the football team, Trail’s understanding of the responsibilities he now has are very simple.

                “The head coach becomes the face of the program. They are responsible for communicating to the staff, players and community the direction the program is to go in,” said Trail.

                However, Trail recognizes the title “head coach” as only a minor part of the coaching staff and insists it is a team effort always.

                “Head Coach is more of a minor role. The day-to-day operations are handled by the assistants and players. They are the key parts of a successful program,” said Trail.  “In other words, I’m just another coach.”

                Trail’s strength lies in his experience of the game itself, one he grew up playing. He played at Hutchison Community College and then at Fort Hays State University. He was a graduate assistant at Fort Hays State for four years and coached high school football in Texas two years.

                “He was quarterback in high school and also in college,” said Dostert. “He coached in Texas so he had other coaching experience before he came here.”

                However, his faith is a visible sign of his dedication to Carroll and the program itself.

                “I think that his Catholic values are one of his strongest traits,” said Dostert.

                “Our main goal is to form good Catholic men with good values and morals to become positive contributors to the community and society as a whole,” said Trail.

                When Schuckman announced his retirement, he said one of the main reasons for his decision was the fact that he wanted to spend more time with his family. However, Trail is going to try to use his promotion as a way of enhancing his family’s ties to Bishop Carroll.

Trail and his wife Wendy have three children, the oldest who will be a freshman at Bishop Carroll this fall.

“A lot of the experiences that come with being a head coach we will be able to enjoy together,” said Trail.

When asked about the upcoming football season and the returning juniors, he has an optimistic outlook.

“I think the future is very bright for Carroll football,” said Trail. “These juniors have the opportunity to become great leaders.”

Although optimistic, Trail understands the amount of weight that is now on his shoulders, especially following Coach Schuckman.

“I know that it’s going to be huge step to follow Coach Schuckman,” said Trail. “And I know taking the title as head coach is a double edged sword in the sense that there is a huge weight of expectation but what is awesome is the wave of support from the community. I am excited for the opportunity and the daunting responsibility.”