Coaching Staff

Steve Dembowski, Head Coach

ASSISTANT COACHES
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Steve Dembowski assumed the head coaching duties at Milton High School in March of 2015.  A veteran coach, with 26 years of experience, Steve traded colors and commuting miles to rebuild the Wildcats and be closer to his family. 

The 2015 Wildcat team scattered school records featuring an aggressive defense and explosive spread offense.  Week by week the team became stronger, and with each win, new milestones were past and games became more important.  

In week seven the Wildcats defeat Wellesley to capture its first Bay State Herget Championship since 1962.  In the playoffs, Steve led Milton to 3 more wins (Norwood, Stoughton and Duxbury) to claim Division 3 Southwest Sectional Championship.  The ride stopped in the State Semi-Finals with a tough, 27-24 loss to Dartmouth.  Five days later the team rallied on Thanksgiving to beat Braintree 27-25 and establish a school record 11th win.   

Since 2015 the Wildcats have won two Bay State Herget Championships and appeared in three Sectional Championship games (2015, 2017 & 2018).  During this stretch the team has won 75% of its games, while more than 17 of his players have gone on to play college football.  Steve credits the teams success to the support of the administration, assist coaches and the hard work of the players.   

Prior to joining Milton, Steve coached in Swampscott for 21 years, the last 16 as Head Coach.  During that time, Steve guided the Big Blue to five playoff appearances and four Northeastern Conference Championships. The first two came in 2002 & 2003 when the team played in the old Northeastern Conference and the latter, in 2007 & 2008 as members of the NEC South Division.  In 2007 Swampscott won its first Super Bowl in 35 years over Medfield at Gillette Stadium. 

Steve has received several honors and awards, including coach of the year from the Boston Herald (2015), Boston Globe (2015), Salem News (2007), Lynn Item (2003) and the Northeastern Conference (2003 & 2011).  The Salem News also selected Steve as one of the "Top 11 Football Coaches in North Shore History" in 2010.  Steve has also served on the Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association Executive Board since 2003 and was the MHSFCA President for the 2014-2015 school year. 

Steve and his wife Kristin have two daughters; Anna & Kate, whom can often be found around the field on game day. Kristin, Anna and Kate enjoy being a part of Wildcat Football and enjoy breaking down film with Coach.

Dan Jarboe,
Defensive Backs/Defensive Coordinator

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Coach Jarboe is responsible for the defensive backs and coordinating the special teams for the Wildcats. Coach Jarboe, a math teacher at MHS, is entering his eighth season on the staff. 

Originally from Wilton Connecticut, Coach Jarboe received all league recognition as a receiver and safety in high school for the warriors.  With football still running through his blood, Dan joined the football support staff during his sophomore year at Boston College.  This work with the Eagles allowed him inside access to college football coaching and provided him great knowledge.  

Dan and his wife, Jessica, have two children, DJ and 

Tom Phelan, Linebackers

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Coach Phelan joined the coaching staff in 2015 to as the linebacker coach.  Since then, Tom has worked to develop 5 Bay State Conference All-Stars.

Tom is a former Wildcat, serving as a Captain his senior.  He played center and linebacker.  He now works in the Milton schools and also serves as the top assistant coach for the Varsity basketball team.

Mike Lopez, Offensive Line

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Coach Lopez has been a member of the staff since 2009 serving first as a freshman coach and then moving to the varsity offensive line position in 2013.  

Born and raised in Milton and a 2006 graduate of Milton High School, Coach Lopez has experienced great success at both levels developing young lineman.  

As a former Wildcats offensive tackle, coach takes great pride in preparing his players to compete in the tough Bay State Herget Conference. 

Coach Lopez works in his families business, Lopez the Florist. and recently married Molly Pugsley.

Nils Hodlin, Defensive Line

Andrew Hunt, ​Receivers

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Patrick Flaherty, Specialists

Mike Donovan, ​Running Backs/Tight Ends
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