DOVER, N.H. — "Make sure you make this story this long," said Rod Wotton, holding his thumb and finger about an inch apart.

Sorry Coach, no chance. Youīre about to break the all-time mark for wins by a New England high school football coach. With two more victories, Wotton, 68, will pass the current record-holder, Armond Colombo, who had 322 wins in a 42-year career that ended at Brockton (Mass.) High.

"It just means youīve been around for a long time," said Wotton, downplaying the achievement.

Wotton, who lives in York with his wife, Norma, has coached for the past 12 years at St. Thomas Aquinas High in Dover, N.H.

Before that he was the head coach of Marshwood High in South Berwick, where his teams won 220 games and 16 state titles in four classes, culminating with a Class A championship in 1989.

Wotton is not one to seek publicity. For him, itīs always been about the kids.

He made it clear before practice last week that he wasnīt aware of how many victories he had until a few years ago when he won his 300th game.

"Someone researched it," said Wotton.

Asked if the school was planning a ceremony when he breaks the record, Wotton said: "I hope not." When he won his 300th game three years ago, Wotton grudgingly went along with one.

"Rod is someone who does what he does for the love of the game and the people he coaches," said St. Thomas Athletic Director Jack Leary.

"He tries to avoid the spotlight. Heīs a tremendous role model. Heīs someone you would love to have your son play for. The highlight of his life is family. Football is second and he still has tremendous passion for it."

Wotton began his head coaching career at the old South Berwick High in 1964. He moved to Marshwood when it opened in 1966. Under Wotton, the Hawks won state titles in classes D, C, B and A. After retiring as a coach and physical education teacher in 1993, Wotton took a year off before joining the coaching staff at the University of New Hampshire, his alma mater. Wotton stayed one season.

"It wasnīt for me," he said.

Soon after, St. Thomas was looking for a head coach. Wotton was hired. Twelve years later, Wottonīs Saints have won four Division IV state titles. They beat Laconia for the title last season.

"I never dreamed I would be here for 12 years," he said.

Five years ago, Wottonīs life changed when he was diagnosed with Parkinsonīs disease, a brain disorder that affects the cells that control movement and coordination. The symptoms worsen over time and thereīs no known cure. The most common symptoms are shaking or trembling, stiff muscles, difficulty walking, slow movement and a weakness in the throat and face muscles. Speech can be slower.

"I have my good days and my bad days," said Wotton. "Itīs pretty much stayed the same."

His best days are often when heīs coaching, but still Wotton wondered if his career was over after he was diagnosed. He approached Leary and asked if he still wanted him to coach.

"Rod deals with Parkinsonīs straight up," said Leary.

"He came into my office and said he didnīt know if I still wanted him around. I told him that I wasnīt asking him to play, and as far as I know, Parkinsonīs doesnīt affect the mind. He communicates with the kids very well. He walks a little slower but so what?"

Because of the steep hill from the parking lot to the field below, Wotton uses a golf cart to move back and forth.

"At practice heīs out of the golf cart more this season than last," said Leary.

Last week at practice, Wotton moved from the quarterbacks to the running backs and then the linemen as his assistants directed drills.

After leaving his golf cart, he started to jog.

"Hit the blocking sled, donīt lean into it," Wotton yelled to one lineman.

His son, Peter, the athletic director at nearby Dover High, said his father got tired last winter in Florida, but as soon as the football season started to get closer, he perked up.

"Physically, my father is doing real well," he said.

"Being around kids and people who are positive helps. If the disease has progressed, itīs been a very slow progression."

Wotton said he still takes the same number of pills (four) as he took five years ago.

He admits that being around teenagers helps to keep him young.

And energy? He still has plenty. Before practice last week, Wotton played 18 holes of golf in the morning.

His assistant coaches, four of whom played for Wotton, all said heīs as engaged as ever in his coaching style. Once a fiery coach, Wotton still has moments of intensity, but like most coaches who stay at it for a long time, Wotton has mellowed. They all agree that coaching has been an elixir for him.

"The coaching helps him to stay lively," said Mike Zamachi, who played on three straight state title teams for Wotton in the mid-1980s.

Zamachi, the Marshwood varsity basketball coach for the past 13 years, has stayed close with his former coach. He accompanied Wotton recently when he was inducted into the Maine Legends Hall of Fame in Waterville.

"Rod may have slowed down physically, but mentally heīs a sharp as ever. Heīs still on top of things. He still instructs, he still yells and he still gets upset when kids donīt do what theyīre supposed to do. I read some of his quotes in the paper after games and theyīre the same ones he was using when I played. Rod still has the gruff tone at times, but kids really see how much he likes them and how much he wants them to do well. Heīs a no-nonsense type of coach who kids love to play for," he said.

After beating Somersworth on Friday night, St. Thomas is 4-2. Leary, the athletic director, said there will be a ceremony when Wotton breaks the record. St. Thomasī next two games are at home against Stevens High of Claremont and Hanover High.

With three games remaining, the Saints want to get him the record as soon as possible.

"Most likely if we win two more games, weīll be in the playoffs," said senior co-captain David Pike.

"I was a ball boy for the team in 1999 when my brother played and the team won a state title. I got my title last year and we would love to repeat. Coach Wotton hasnīt changed in the four years Iīve played. Heīs dealing with Parkinsonīs. He looks great."

Staff Writer Tom Chard can be reached at 791-6419 or at:

tchard@pressherald.com