Shamokin Indian Head Coach Part II

• Can Dave Zielinskie return the Indians to the type of team they were in the early 1990's?
  
  Shamokin Area last walked off the field as a champion in the last game of the season in 1975 when they defeated Dunmore at Kemp Memorial Stadium for the Eastern Conference Class A championship. While the Indians in the meantime put out some outstanding teams over the last 31 seasons, their neighboring districts have more PIAA hardware. How much of the program is broken? What can be done to improve or fix them?
  On the surface some things are very easy. They are actually obvious. When Zielinskie inherited the program from Jack Murdock in the mid-80's, the program was at rock bottom including an 1-10 campaign in 1982 under Bob Chesney and 0-11 campaign in 1983 under the first season of Murdock. Zielinskie brings instant credibility to the program. Current players will here stories of hard-hitting defenses and teams that went toe-to-toe with the best in PA.

Here are some positives to point out:

• The program isn't as down as it was in the mid-80's.
• The Indians return plenty of starters and there are some players in the wings.
• Shamokin now competes in "AA" compared to "AAA".

With Coach Zielinskie:

• A little older and wiser
• Can navigate well through the mine fields of being head coach
• Present employment gives him a better understanding of his kids
• This helps identify discipline problems early
• Easily can identify the positive leader on the team and build the rest.

There are also some negatives that are obvious. Early season schedule with Southern Area, Montoursville, and Mount Carmel in the first four weeks and team speed could be a problem.

Here are some others:

• New offense....doubtful Shamokin will run the West Virginia spread. However, all is not lost. Shamokin didn't have the speed back to run the spread. Forbes could be utilized in a better fashion to make up the lack of a running game.
• Schedule - see above
• Assistants, who will they be?
• Red Zone offense - Shamokin moved the ball well between the 20's. Had many problems scoring as evident in coming out of timeouts and players unsure of assignments.
• Dysfunctional feeder system - SUBJECT TO FUTURE POST.

Zielinskie has returned with the enthusiasm they he came with in the 80's. He still can motivate an average player to attain higher. It will be interesting to see how the team adjust to the new slate of coaches. Marc Persing and Jordan Haddock are proven leaders to build a team around especially when it comes to work ethic. Once again, Zielinskie should have the benefit of any doubt due to past performance. Parents, fans and the media will have patience.

SMOKE UNDER THE TEE-PEE!!!!!

It has been learned earlier this evening that the new assistant coaches have been hired. Several sources have confirmed that three of the four new coaches will include Dave Kopitsky Jr., Todd Nye and Mike Gurski. Offers will be tendered in the near future. This group of coaches could change if offers by the district to them are rejected or anything that could arise between now and summer drills. They round out the staff with Zielinskie and Ed Zack. A fourth will be hired, but there were mixed reports if he would be posted with the freshman or varsity. Two coaches remain to be hired to round out the staff from top to bottom. (A future post will profile the assistants.)

UPDATE

On personnel issues, Robert Cowder was appointed varsity cross country coach, and head football coach David Zielinskie and his coaching staff and their salaries were approved. Zielinskie will make $5,800, while his staff will be paid as follows: Assistant varsity coaches Edward Zack, $3,542; David Kopitsky Jr, $2,352; Michael Gurski, $2,904; Anthony Carnuccio, $1,800; eighth-grade head coach Edward Taylor, $1,776; assistant Todd Nye, $1,200; ninth-grade head coach James Lichty, $2,942, and assistant Gerald Bogetti, $1,638.The vote was approved by a 5-0 vote, with Mark Anonia and Tracey Witmer abstaining.

Robert Getchey asked that there be more volunteers for additional adult supervision for the younger squads.

FROM THE HARDWOOD

Shamokin defeated Pottsville on a 3-point bank by Mark Persing in OT at the buzzer. In the game Frank Marcinek went over the 1000-point mark. The Indians were eliminated from the Schuylkill League playoffs with Blue Mountain's victory over Jim Thorpe.