Head Coach Scott McClure discusses his plan for success in his first season leading the Indians' football program
By Robb Helfrick
First-year Head Coach Scott McClure brings new skills and perspectives to the Waynesboro Indians football program. McClure served as the Defensive Coordinator for the WASHS team during 2025 and had a long working relationship with former Indian head coach Mark Saunders.
McClure will carry forward a philosophy he learned from Saunders’ interaction with student-athletes. He appreciated how Saunders bonded with his players and didn’t talk football non-stop. “I want to be able to talk things through with them,” McClure said, recognizing that students have other aspects in their lives beyond football. “I want to be more than a coach.”
Scott McClure grew up in nearby Fayetteville and gained an early appreciation for football strategy. He remembers taking sideline notes at a young age as his father, Bob McClure, coached football in Chambersburg for over two decades. Scott’s devotion to the game has only increased since.
Although McClure comes from the Indians’ defensive coordinator position in 2025, his background includes coaching experience on the offensive side of the ball. He will serve as the Indians’ Offensive Coordinator this season. However, McClure will be assisted by a skilled team of specialty coaches who will work with quarterbacks, kickers, running backs, and the offensive line.
When asked about his overall offensive strategy, McClure said the unit will move faster. “We’ll be going more up-tempo.” He doesn’t forecast new gadget plays, but will ask his players to think quickly to keep the offense moving down the field. McClure plans to incorporate this strategy with a solid foundation of set rules. “We want to use the talent we have to make the best offensive plays possible.”
McClure says his overall coaching philosophy will be on display on the defensive side. “I’m meticulous and detail-oriented.” He intends to drill his players on fundamentals and proper techniques, with an emphasis on consistent alignment and sound tackling. “We’re not the most physically imposing team,” McClure said, “but with the right mental approach and attention to detail, we can play physical football.” Last season, the team had some standout defensive players, including one with a league-leading 8 interceptions and another with 12 sacks. Matt Paterno will serve as the team’s Defensive Coordinator.
Now that training camp has begun, McClure is encouraged by the team’s progress. “We have a group of guys who enjoy playing football.” He intends to teach his practice-session style, which leaves some gas in the tank for real-game situations. McClure said he will also stress resistance training and stretching to hopefully reduce injuries, which plagued the team in 2025.
One silver lining from those injuries last season was that younger players filled in and gained valuable game experience, which will benefit the team this year. McClure said that playing time provided important lessons. “The game moves quickly so you can’t hesitate.” Overall, he is confident that those younger position players will rise to the occasion this season. McClure is also satisfied with his offensive and defensive lines, which feature more seasoned players. “That’s definitely one of our strengths.”
Looking ahead to the 2026 Mid-Penn Keystone Division schedule, McClure said his team faces weekly competitive challenges in a region known for quality football programs. “There are no easy games in the Mid-Penn Conference,” he said. “It’s difficult from week one to week ten.” McClure mentioned that, like him, several other coaches are in the first or second years of their coaching careers, which makes it harder to predict their game tendencies.
With a challenging season ahead, McClure will focus on improving the overall quality of the Indian football program to build a team with depth. “We’re assessing our talent, but our goal is to get off to a good start.”
McClure also believes in listening to his players. “It’s their team,” he said. He was pleased with a recent team meeting when the group discussed changes that could make the team stronger. One possibility was arriving earlier at away games. “We want to get in the right mental space to play and compete,” McClure said.
Waynesboro’s new head football coach was also buoyed by the team’s boosters and the supportive local spirit. “I’m encouraged by how our team and the community have come together,” McClure said in a recent phone interview. “That’s a huge benefit.”
McClure hopes that support will not only help fire up the team for home games but also bring more fans to away games against local rivals Greencastle (the first game on August 28) and Gettysburg. In those tough road games, the coach said that close contests often boil down to “who wants to win more.”
With a solid coaching staff in place, McClure is enthusiastic about the upcoming season. “We have a strong group,” he said, emphasizing that many of his coaches are Waynesboro alumni who want to give back to the program. “We will continue to grow together, and I’m encouraged by our progress so far.”
