Dennis Harrah Volunteers to Coach Linemen at High School Alma Mater

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Former Ram lineman Dennis Harrah decided he wanted to give something better than a tattered jersey or grass-stained cleats back to his alma mater.

The six-time All-Pro and Charleston native didn’t believe that another memento for Stonewall Jackson High School’s trophy case was in order, nor were new helmets for its football team.

Harrah, 35, decided that his time would be the best contribution. That’s why he’s spending his mornings and afternoons instructing the Generals’ linemen as a volunteer coach.

Harrah, who retired in February after 13 years as an offensive guard with the Rams, is a 1971 graduate of Stonewall Jackson. The West Side school is beginning its final season before a scheduled consolidation next year with cross-town rival Charleston.

“I wanted to give something back to the kids,” Harrah said. “It has been 17 years since I’ve seen Stonewall play a ballgame.

“We’ve been going through some of the Rams’ playbooks, which I stole when I left. We’ve got a kid who has a lot of ability like Eric Dickerson had.”