From the Bench: State Title-Winning Coach Resigns and State Title-Winning Coach Fills Vacant Position
By Jeff Toquinto on May 31, 2026 from Sports Blog
Bridgeport High School just watched a state championship coach resign. And then saw a state championship coach take a new job.
Sound confusing?
Perhaps a little, but there is a good reason for it. And it does not put the Indians in an unpleasant situation heading into the 2026-27 school calendar year – particularly the upcoming fall sports season.
Boys state soccer Coach Keith Dumas, who led the boys to the school’s first-ever state championship in that sport, resigned earlier this year. This comes after the Indians topped Nitro 3-1 in Beckley to get the Class AAA title and cap a spectacular 20-1-2 season.
Dumas understands the game. He grew up playing the sport and from 1995 to 1998 he was playing at Marshall University on a full scholarship.
“Soccer has been my passion my whole life,” said Dumas.
That statement, however, makes it a little more confusing. But it is about family. Coaching, even when he stepped away and then got back into it, was always about family.
“I guess you would say it would be the perfect time to step down with a state title and your son (Andrew, the goalkeeper) graduating,” said Dumas. “I coached him for four years and my son, John, for four years. But the main reason I resigned is for my daughter.”
Sound confusing? Nope, it – again – is about family.
Dumas left the boys program as a state championship coach. In 2026, he will be joining the girls program as a state championship head coach.
“The main reason is my daughter (Gianna, a defensive midfielder). She’s going to be a sophomore after coming off a successful season with the team as a freshman,” said Dumas, who is replacing Olivia Arbogast Smith. “Part of the reason I coach is to get to spend extra time with my kids, which is something every parent knows you can’t get back.
“She’s sacrificed over the year of me not coaching her to coach my boys, so I’m super excited,” he continued. “It just felt perfect.”
While he feels good about the move, he knows the sport may be the same but that its not status quo as far as coaching. However, he does .jpg)
have some experience on the girls side of the ledger coaching Robert C. Byrd’s girls years ago as a volunteer.
have some experience on the girls side of the ledger coaching Robert C. Byrd’s girls years ago as a volunteer.
“From pure coaching, I don’t think much changes as far as tactics with teams, formations, and things of that nature. That stays the same, but there will be differences. Girls mature quicker than boys, particularly mentally. I’m excited for that,” said Dumas with a chuckle. “There will be other differences, and I’ll have a learning curve. I’ll have some help.”
Dumas is already singing the praises of his assistant coach. Former BHS student-athlete standout Madie Wilson will be managing those chores for Dumas in what he hopes will be another season with the team getting back to Beckley.
“They lost to the eventual champions in East Fairmont. Anyone that watched soccer last year knows that was a hard draw,” Dumas said. “I think we have all the pieces in place to have the opportunity get back, but you have to put it together on the field and in the locker room.
“The team lost several seniors, key players that were counted on, but that happens every year,” he continued. “Others will have to step up, and we fully expect that to happen.”
This past year, players stepped up for Dumas when needed. The team lost junior standout Grayson Church at the start of the postseason to a season-ending injury, and the boys compensated with a collective effort of filling in for what he provided.
The boys program has known Dumas for more than a decade. He began in 2010 as a volunteer under former Coach John Reese and then in 2011 and 2012 he was a full-time assistant under former Coach Danny Hamrick. Prior to that, he had the aforementioned two-year stint in 2008 and 2009 as a volunteer for the Robert C. Byrd girls soccer program.
There was a hiatus in his coaching, back when his kids were not in high school. In 2013 through 2017, he spent time coaching youth 
soccer – in particular, programs his children were involved in. He returned in 2018 as Hamrick’s assistant before assuming the reigns as the head man in 2019 until the end came after the most recent season.
soccer – in particular, programs his children were involved in. He returned in 2018 as Hamrick’s assistant before assuming the reigns as the head man in 2019 until the end came after the most recent season.
Even with things feeling right with the decision, it was not easy for Dumas. The reason for that is not because the Indians have a boatload of talent back for the 2026 season.
“The hardest part for me, really, is walking away from kids you’ve been with for the last several years,” said Dumas. “I love coaching and being around the kids and connecting with them. I hope I’ve mentored them well and prepared them not just for athletics, but for life.
“I miss them, and the season hasn’t even started. It hurts to know I won’t be coaching them next year,” he continued. “I guess you must end it at some time, and we know that time arrived. Now, it’s time to focus on the girls program. Hopefully, we’ll both be back in Beckley this year.”
Editor's Note: Top and third photo show Keith Dumas manning the sideline. While the second photo shows his children, from left,
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