Longtime Green Hornets Coach Recognized

Mike McCarthy may share a name with a former Green Bay Packers coach, but the longtime Green Hornets coach has enjoyed a much different experience working with youth players.

After 34 years of volunteering with the Greater Severna Park Athletic Association, also known as the Green Hornets, McCarthy was invited to a youth game at Kinder Farm Park this fall and surprised with a ceremony and a letter from the Anne Arundel County Council.

“This was nice of (Green Hornets football commissioner) Sean Kilduff and his wife, Christie,” McCarthy said. “They went out of their way (to plan the event).”

McCarthy coached Green Hornets teams from 1987-2021. Although football was his first gig, he later picked up lacrosse and basketball.

It did not matter that he did not have any kids on those teams. His dad, John, coached in Pennsylvania. His sister, Kim, coached high school volleyball, basketball, and track and field.

Coaching is in his blood.

“I enjoyed coaching the kids and being part of the community,” he said. “Green Hornets is a great organization with a lot of support.”

McCarthy said he was not much of a yeller. Instead, his style was to lead by example.

“I made sure the kids had fun and still tried to be competitive,” he said. “If the kids don’t have fun, they’re not going to want to play.”

At one point, his teams were 47-1, he said. His football team lost the championship that year. But overall, he won an estimated five or six county championships between football and lacrosse.

He leaned on his peers and attended clinics to improve. This was especially important when he started coaching lacrosse, a game that was less familiar to him than football.

“I had a lot of help from Green Hornets coaches Gee Cosper, Ronnie Stains, Drew Larkin and Jay Whitelock,” said McCarthy, who also spent time around revered football icons Andy Borland and Mike Whittles. “Everybody learned from each other.”

McCarthy was honored in 2018 with the Bildy Award, presented by the Bilderback Lacrosse Foundation, to recognize his dedication and service to lacrosse in Anne Arundel County.

When reflecting on his career, McCarthy can cherish the wins and the awards, but more importantly is the difference he made. That impact was evident in the support he received during the ceremony at Kinder Farm Park this fall.

“I didn’t expect it,” he said. “It surprised me a lot.”

Heidler Plumbing is a proud sponsor of Volunteer of the Month. To nominate a volunteer, email spvnews@severnaparkvoice.com.