Scott Bairnsfather to become interim head football coach at Jesuit as Mark Songy moves into administrative role

Jesuit head football coach Mark Songy has resigned his position to take over as the Prefect of Discipline at the school. Offensive coordinator Scott Bairnsfather is taking over for Songy for the upcoming season. Ed Daniels of WGNO Sports first reported the news Thursday.

Songy will replace Larry Abshire, the current Prefect of Discipline who is retiring in July.

Jesuit athletic director David Moreau said the move was purely a decision by Songy.

“The position (Prefect) was open and we have to fill the position,” Moreau said. “Mark was intrigued with the position, explored it, applied and ended up being the person that the school selected. It was strictly Mark’s decision. He is valued by Jesuit High School.”

Bairnsfather served as the head coach at Holy Cross from 1997-2000 before serving as the head coach at Archbishop Shaw for 16 years (2001-2016). Bairnsfather took the Tigers to the playoffs three times and guided Shaw to the playoffs 15 times.

“Scott will be the Interim coach for this season,” Moreau said. “We will begin a search in January to fill the position on a permanent basis. We feel comfortable that Scott will do a very fine job. If he wants to apply, he will certainly be considered for the job in January, along with anyone else who applies.”

Bairnsfather previously served as defensive coordinator at Shaw. Bairnsfather compiled an 87-81 record with the Eagles. He has served as offensive coordinator under Songy for the last three seasons (2017-19).

“It’s late in the year. We had a change in discipline and Mark was offered the job and he had to step away from football,” Bairnsfather said. “We’re already in June. I was honored that they would ask me to do it. They were kind enough to offer me a job three years ago. I’m humbled to have the opportunity.”

Bairnsfather feels the transition will be made easy due to his staff.

“The whole staff is in place and assistants will remain the same on both sides of the ball,” Bairnsfather said. “We will certainly miss Mark and the kids will miss him as well. Mark has been their coach for a long time. Hopefully, with all of the other coaches being the same, the transition will be easier.”

Moreau is comfortable with Bairnsfather.

“We are grateful to have Scott in the position that he is in with his vast experience,” Moreau said. “It will result in fewer changes than if we went outside of the program. Marc will do a great job in his new position. He cares about our students and he will continue to do a great job and teach them the things that they will use each and every day in their lives. Character development is most important to MarK.”

Songy served as head coach in two different stints at Jesuit, first from 1992-96 and most recently from 2014-19. Songy also served as an assistant with the Blue Jays in 1990 and 1991. Songy also served as offensive line coach at Jesuit in the 2002 and 2003 seasons after he had served as head coach at Brother Martin, his alma mater, from 1997-2001.

In 11 seasons overall, Songy compiled a record of 72-62. The Blue Jays were 7-5 a year ago, reaching the Division I quarterfinals.

His most memorable season was 2014, when Songy guided the Blue Jays to the Division I state championship, the first state title in football at Jesuit since 1960.