Named only the third head coach of the Mt. Blue football program in 43 years this past winter, Aylward, who chalked up an even 200 wins and four Class B championships at Mountain Valley, tinkered with the offense. It will remind the Cougars community more of Ray Caldwell’s pound-it-out heyday than Gary Parlin’s recent chuck-it-around excellence.

“We’re trying to maintain some of it just so there’s a certain comfort level. You don’t throw out stuff that’s been good for the program,” Aylward said. “At the same point, trying to install some stuff that helps us out defensively by slowing the game down. We’d really like to be able to dictate the pace that our offense goes.”

Parlin retired in October 2013 after Mt. Blue went 5-4 and lost in the Class B East quarterfinals in defense of its 2012 state championship. Wracked by declining enrollment and staggering youth on its roster, Class C West Mountain Valley went 1-7 in Aylward’s 25th and final season at the helm.

To say that he’s rejuvenated is putting it mildly.

“It’s been a blast,” Aylward said. “Why not take an opportunity to do something? I live right in (Jay). I’ve enjoyed it, and I knew I would. I like the schedule. I like the challenge. I needed it.”

Mt. Blue’s roster suggests that it’s a good time for a philosophical shift.

The Cougars have a potentially explosive one-two tandem with J.T. Williams and Alex Gilbert in the backfield. A new quarterback — Ryan Pratt, grandson of Caldwell — takes over for older brother Andrew.

And potentially four-fifths of the offensive line could be seniors, including center Anthony Franchetti, tackles Cody Vining and Bubba Harris and guard Hunter True.

“Both coaches you couldn’t ask for anything better. Coach Parlin, he was a really, really good quarterback coach. Coach Aylward is a big on the line with the real men,” Franchetti quipped. “Coach Aylward has fit in real well. We’ve kept a lot of the traditions. I really love playing for him. It’s not often you get to play for two legends.”

One area of continuity has helped ease Aylward’s transition. The rest of the coaching staff has a familiar look, including longtime defensive coordinator and associate head coach Craig Collins and Franchetti’s father, Peter, who was head coach at Dirigo in the 1980s.

That wasn’t certain in February, when Aylward was handed the keys. Some in the community were surprised that RSU 9 didn’t promote from within.

“We talked a long time, and I decided to come back,” Collins said.

“I told him your job is 100 percent the same,” Aylward added. “It’s fun. I used to be able to blow the whistle and have the same routine. I go back there now (after practice), those coaches want to talk about (stuff). I won’t get out of there for another three hours.”

Mt. Blue became known for its high-octane offense in the Parlin era, with a run of quarterbacks that included Fitzpatrick Trophy winner Dustin Ireland, Marcus Corey, Mason Barker, Joe Gilbert, Jordan Whitney and the elder Pratt.

At Mountain Valley, where Aylward guided his teams to 17 regional title games in the first 23 years, he enjoyed an endless supply of halfbacks and fullbacks.

“It looks like we’re going to run the ball more, just the way it shakes out because we’ve got J.T.,” Franchetti said. “Everyone’s on the same page and we’re ready for it. We’re excited.”

The Cougars will be young defensively. It’s another element that makes the timing right for a more deliberate pace.

“We’d like to have the best of both worlds,” Aylward said. “We want to control how much defense we play. Right now we’re trying to find every possible way to make ourselves a better defensive team, and that includes some shifts in offensive philosophy.”