Sportlight – Andrisko: Be careful what you wish for

BY JEFF OLIVER

MVI Sports

I must preface what I’m about to say by telling you all that, other than talking on the phone for a story a couple of times, I don’t know Tony Watson at all.

Now, Taylor Andrisko, I followed him as an athlete and then as a coach, and I consider him a friend and a good guy.

I read with interest in Wednesday’s Mon Valley Independent the story about Andrisko being hired as the new baseball coach at Belle Vernon Area.

I’m happy for Andrisko, who I consider a smart baseball mind and an outgoing person with a charismatic personality.

That said, I hope Andrisko knows what he may be getting into when he moves from California to BVA.

In the MVI story, he stated how much support he had from the administration in California, how much he enjoyed coaching the Trojans, and how tough it was to leave.

I get it that he also said the opportunity to go from a 1A school to a 4A school is huge.

That is also understandable for a coach with dreams. Most coaches long to move up the ladder as their careers develop.

But we are talking about BVA here.

I’m not so sure I would be willing to leave a place where I was treated well to go to one that just dumped a coach who went 16-8, won the program’s first section title in 12 years and reached the WPIAL semifinals.

That doesn’t sound like a great landing spot. But that’s just me.

Over the years, I’ve seen more coaches get sent packing than leave on their own accord at BVA.

The district is known for having good athletes and good numbers on its athletic teams.

However, it often seems the parents have more power than the coaches with the school board.

I’ve heard it from past coaches and I have seen it more than once during my career as a writer.

And when you consider that Andrisko’s overall record at California was 27-32 and included a trip to the WPIAL finals in 2023, I’m wondering how similar results with the Leopards would go over with the school board.

I truly hope for the best for Andrisko.

But past history has me wondering if this was the right situation for an up and coming coach.

Good luck to Andrisko and the Leps. I hope it’s the start of something great and not just business as usual for coaches there.

Battle for the Bridge

One of the WPIAL’s longest-standing rivalries will be renewed tonight when Monessen goes to Charleroi to open the football season at Myron Pottios Stadium.

The Cougars and Greyhounds have gone to battle more than just about any other school in the state and the two schools have produced some memorable games along the way.

This year’s meeting will undoubtedly have a few extra eyes on it because the Cougars will be guided for the first time by one of their own, Scott DeUnger.

Over the years, both once-proud programs had fallen on hard times. However, Monessen has managed to claw its way back to some respectability under Coach Wade Brown.

The biggest drawbacks for the Greyhounds have been things out of Brown’s control, such as transfers of talented to players to other school districts and other factors.

Charleroi, meanwhile, has been in the cellar for football for a while, but the fiery DeUnger is determined to change that.

I’m betting on the first-year coach to turn that program around.

For the first time in recent years, the two teams are meeting with each program headed in opposite directions. Charleroi’s arrow with DeUnger is pointed up, while the Greyhounds will be hard-pressed to keep Brown’s mark of making the playoffs each year of his tenure there intact.

Still, there is always an air of excitement when the two teams meet on the gridiron. The rivalry may not be what it once was, but it still gets the juices flowing in both communities.

Even if for one night.

Here is a shocker …

Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin kept many of his starters in street clothes during the three-game preseason schedule.

It’s a decision I definitely didn’t agree with.

Imagine that … me disagreeing with Tomlin.

I think it is important for all players, unless of course they are less than 100% healthy, to get at least a series or two in the preseason just to get used to the action, to get their feet under them.

I can’t imagine all of the players who failed to see the field yet will be at top performance level in the opener against the New York Jets.

Knocking off cobwebs in a regular season game is not my idea of a successful formula.

I mean, why even bother with preseason games if you don’t use them to get players in game shape?

But what do I know? I’ve never coached an NFL team to a .500 or better record my entire career like Tomlin has.

Then again, I’ve also won as many playoff games as he has the past nine seasons.

Anyone with any thoughts, opposing views or comments on this column can reach Jeff Oliver by emailing justjto@verizon.net.