Southern's Jim Roth Goes For Number 300

Southern Columbia head coach Jim Roth goes for win number 300 on Friday at Loyalsock.

Being a busy week, I asked Roth 5 questions about the last 30 years as an assistant and head coach all at Southern Columbia and this is what Roth had to say.

Question
Starting out with Andy Ulicny, did you every think you would be at this milestone?

Roth
No, it is impossible to envision something that far down the road and I have always put my focus and energy into the now or near future.

Question
When do you think was the turning point of the program? Was it as an assistant or head coach?

Roth
As assistant – 4 years: 0-10, 5-6-1, 9-3, 12-1 (E.C. Title)


Question
You have been around high school kids for nearly 30 years. Have the kids changed?

Roth
Yes, not as many come to you with strong character/work ethic.

Question
What was the most satisfying win? Disappointing loss?

Roth
Satisfying - 02 state title, son on team and broke the string of runners-up.
Disappointing – 2000 and 2001 state title game losses. We had outstanding teams with great kids. Lost to very good Rochester teams.


Question
Any advice for someone getting a head coaching job in 2009?

Roth
Maintain high standards for player discipline, work ethic, and behavior and don’t compromise. Be fair and consistent when dealing with players. Be their coach not their friend. Be more concerned about physical training (year-round) and character development than X’s and O’s.

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Hard to believe where the last nearly 30 years have gone, but with a win on Friday, Jim Roth will become the 8th member of the 300-win club. Coming out of college and being part of former head coach Andy Ulicny's staff, Southern at the time was concerned with a win (singular).

The school was mired in a 17-game losing streak and would see it grow to 27 until it came to an end.

There have been all the league, conference, district and state championships. One glaring statistic that jumps out at me is the average....yes average of 11.5 wins a year. Even when the regular season consisted of 11 games this is still a major accomplishment.

Off camera, we talked about teams around the Heartland Conference, playoff scenarios and the health and improvement of his own squad. Roth's energy and enthusiasm never dies. After the interview, I couldn't help wonder if I was talking to a man in his first year of coaching or one on the doorstep of Pennsylvania high school football immortality.