The Commanders' Week 2 Girls' Flag Coach of the Week is John Marshall's Sharmain Cherry. A dedicated teacher, coach and mentor at the Richmond high school, Cherry plays a vital role in both the school and the broader Northside community. As head of the girls' flag program, Cherry led the team to its first Richmond Public Schools Championship in its inaugural 2025 season this past spring, sparking a surge in participation. Beyond athletics, Coach Cherry emphasizes academics, character and leadership, supporting her players in all areas of life while fostering strong relationships with families and staff. Her efforts promote equity in sports and empower young women to become leaders, both on and off the field.
Commanders.com sat down for an exclusive with Coach Cherry following her Coach of the Week win.
Q: Congratulations on being named the Commanders' Week 2 Girls' Flag Coach of the Week! How does it feel to receive an honor like this?
A: "I'm really honored. I didn't expect it. I appreciate it. Coaching flag football is something that I love doing, and I love making a difference in these young ladies' lives."
Q: What's the biggest life lesson football has taught you, and how do you pass that lesson on to your players?
A: "Playing flag football you build a lot of skills and confidence, and you have a lot of fun. I think you find and identify your character through teamwork, having fun and communicating with each other. I love putting all my effort forth when it comes to coaching as well as playing, and so that's what I expect from the girls. I try to instill that hard work, resilience and build unity. A lot of teenage girls are trying to find themselves and they might not be confident at this age, playing flag football I think helps with their sense of self on and off the field."
Q: Do you have a motto or mantra that anchors you in your work?
A: "One thing I usually try to say and do is, 'I'm all in and all heart.'"
Q: John Marshall girls' flag had great success in the first-ever official season in the spring. How do you build on that in this second season and in the future?
A: "We're definitely trying to continue the hard work. A lot of girls came out, and we're trying to get them used to the training and commitment while also teaching them to have fun in this sport. It's important that we put games in place to get them to learn and understand the sport, implementing drills for them improve their skills. We're finding the balance between development and having fun."
