Gerald McDougall

MCDOUGALL Gerald W. McDougall, age 76, of Trumbull, passed away peacefully, October 12, 2011 at St. Vincent's Medical Center. Coach McDougall was born in Bridgeport and was a longtime Trumbull resident. He was the head football coach at Trumbull High School for over three decades retiring in 1997 as the all-time winningest coach in state history with 265 victories. He led the Eagles to four FCIAC championships and three state titles, including back-to-back Class LL crown in 1985 and 1986. But football wasn't the only sport he enjoyed success in. His hall of fame resume also included 510 wins in 32 years as the Trumbull High baseball coach from 1974-2005 leading the Eagles to nine divisional titles, three FCIAC championships, a pair of state crowns and two more state runner-up finishes. His 1986 and 1998 state-championships clubs were both ranked No. 1 in CT as well in USA Today. In 2005 his final season, he coached the CT all-stars at Fenway Park. Coach Jerry has earned numerous coaching awards in both sports. He was selected as the National High School Coach of the Year in football in 1993 and in baseball in 2003. He was named the FCIAC Football Coach of the Year four times and the conferences Baseball Coach of the Year in 2001 and '05. He was recognized as the CT High School Coaches Association Coach of the year in football in 1976 and in baseball in 1995. While at Trumbull he coached both indoor and outdoor track winning an FCIAC title in each. He also started the wrestling program. Prior to this he was the head coach at Central Catholic High School receiving one of two Class M Merit Awards from the CIAC. The longtime Trumbull High athletic director was also named the CHSCA Athletic Director of the Year in 2000 as well as the National High School Coaches Assoc. District I winner. He was the former president of both the FCIAC and CT High School Coaches Assoc., a 40-year lifetime member of the American Football Coaches Assoc. and a lifetime member of the IAABO Board 9 Basketball officials. He was a member of the CHSCA Executive Committee and Board of Directors. He has been inducted into seven halls of fames, including the National High School Coaches Hall of Fame in 1999. Three of his biggest honors were receiving a Gold Key from the CT Sports Writers Alliance in 1997, the naming of Jerry McDougall Stadium at Trumbull High in 1998, and receiving the Thomas R. Monahan Honor Award. A 1954 graduate of Bassick High School, he was captain of the football, basketball and baseball teams. A 1958 Graduate of the University of Bridgeport, he was a football captain and played baseball and basketball. He was a member of the Old Timers Association and an army veteran of the Korean Conflict. He was predeceased by his wife, Loretta Witowski McDougall and six brothers, Frederick, Cornelius, Michael, William, Patrick and James. Survivors include his two loving children Gerald Paul McDougall and his wife Jazmine of NYC, NY and Lauren M. Jorgensen and her husband Matthew of Columbia, CT; four brothers and sisters Marie Riley of Albuquerque, NM, Helen (Doll) Dingee of Roanoke, VA, Edwin McDougall of Seymour, CT and John McDougall of Sun City, FL, four sister-in-laws Rita McDougall of Cape Cod, Kate McDougall of Kingston, RI, Billie McDougall of Stratford and Linda McDougall of Sun City, FL; many nieces and nephews including Beverly and David Bjorklund and his beloved black lab, Coach. Friends and family are invited to attend his funeral services on Monday at 11:00 a.m. DIRECTLY at St. Theresa Church 5301 Main Street Trumbull, CT. Interment in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Friends may call on Sunday from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Cyril F. Mullins Funeral Home 399 White Plains Rd. Trumbull. Memorial contributions may be made to the Coach Jerry McDougall Scholarship Fund through the funeral director. For online condolences please visit mullinsfh.com.