Mike Brennan, A Look Back

Mike Brennan decided this past week that it was time to move on and make a move closer to home. Without a doubt, Brennan has been the most scrutinized coach in Pennsylvania over the last 9 seasons. Mostly due to the online community.

Back in 2000, the MCA Board decided to take a chance on a coach who was 7-15 at his alma mater, Pottsville Nativity BVM. All Brennan did was come in a win two PIAA AA titles and one EC title in his first three seasons going 37-5.

Then in 2003, Mount Carmel lost the D4 final to Line Mountain. Yes, Line Mountain!!!! Then the online community was relentless and stayed that way to the very end.

In the end, Brennan went 84-26 at MCA with a 76% winning percentage.

As a broadcaster covering MCA from until 2005, Brennan had a great working relationship with his assistants and valued their input. His greatest talent as head coach was preparing players for the first year as varsity starters and often in different positions.

Two players that come to mind of the Brennan era are Vince Yasenchak and Trevor Demko. Both started out as quarterbacks. Both have achieved all-state status as defensive players. Yasenchak played in the early years while Demko will be a senior next season.

A few years ago, I asked Southern head coach Jim Roth about playing Mount Carmel who at the time played the Red Tornadoes in Week 3. To paraphrase Roth, the Southern head coach said no one prepares people better for varsity football better than Mike Brennan. Going into the games against Mount Carmel, we know what they have based on last season. It is hard to account for the junior varsity guys who make great strides in the off season. No one is better at that than Mike Brennan and his staff.

It is hard to say who will replace Brennan at MCA. The Red Tornadoes have alumni all over the landscape in high school and college head coaching positions. You can even watch Brett Veach on the Philadelphia Eagles sidelines next to Andy Reid. The board and five votes will eventual pick the new head coach. Asking a simple question, would you want your son to play for this person?

Mount Carmel has been in good hands for 9 seasons.

Mike Brennan resigns at Mount Carmel

The Coal Region Voice has learned Mike Brennan has resigned to take the head coaching job at Blue Mountain. More on this story as it develops.

Also, six candidates for the vacant football job have been interviewed by Shamokin Area athletic committee. Expect Shamokin to name a coach on January 21st at the meeting of the board.

Brennan staying put at MCA

Chuck Souders from the News-Item breaks the story. Why would Brennan leave?

PIAA NEWS

Rod Frisco writes about the meeting of the PIAA football steering committe moving up the starting practice date to the second Monday in August for 2010. In 2009, the football season is scheduled to end the weekend of December 19th and 20th. Since logic and the PIAA usually don't go together in the same sentence, there is popular sentiment to move the season back to 15 weeks instead of 16.

According to Brad Cashman, the excutive director of the PIAA, "we're never going to solve this prroblem until someone's willing to sacrifice. Either the regular season has to be cut, the district games have to be cut or state games have to be cut.''

Nobody wants to sacrifice, according to Cashman.

The translation is the schools can't afford to lose a regular season game and no one wants to give up a district or state game. Schools lost a game over a decade ago when an 11-game season was dropped to 10. Why do districts need a fat payday?

Mount Carmel prepares for the Crusaders

Video and pictures of Mount Carmel's practice at Shamokin

Mount Carmel practiced at Shamokin Area on the turf on Tuesday evening. Despite cold temperatures and snow squalls, the Red Tornado practice looked very crisp.

Hard to believe we are 35 years removed from the annual Mount Carmel-Shamokin game for the Coal Bucket played on Thanksgiving Day. Does anyone have any fun stories from the blizzard in 1971? The snow fell on Wednesday and the game was cancelled until Saturday.