Tyrone School Board appoints new head coach

By Corey Snyder
Tyrone Area School District announced that Steve Guthoff is the new head football coach on February 26, 2012. Guthoff was on the staff from the 2011 state championship runner-up Tyrone football team. Guthoff coached the tight ends, linebackers, and helped breakdown the opponent’s offense with defensive coordinator Jason Wilson.

“[Coach Guthoff] is a good guy for the program,” Kolten Taylor, junior football player, said. “He is a good coach, and he can carry on the tradition here at Tyrone.”

There were nine applications for the head coaching position, but the school narrowed it down to four contenders and interviewed them.

“The hardest part of the interviewing process was trying to find someone that would keep the continuity of the team,” Thomas Coleman, Athletic Director, said. “All four finalists were very qualified. We wanted what felt best for the team and was the best choice to replace the best coach in the state.”

Guthoff has experience at the head coaching position. Guthoff has coached at Philipsburg Osceola, and Lewistown.

“I’m excited for this new challenge. It’s good to constantly challenge yourself whether it’s personal or professionally,” Guthoff said.

Guthoff met with the football team Monday, March 5, 2012 at 7:50 AM in the high school cafeteria to talk to the team and clear up some of the rumors about the upcoming season.

Guthoff stated that he had appointed his coaching staff. Scott Gummo will be returning, along with defensive coordinator Jason Wilson. Nate Verilla and Steve Johnson are also going to be on the staff.

“Running the offense will be Murray Fetzer, the former Moshannon Valley head football coach,” Guthoff said.

Guthoff explained that not much was going to change, “The running game won’t change. That is our bread and butter. That is what we revolve around,” Guthoff said about his running game.

“I’m happy that Coach Guthoff got the job. He was on the coaching staff from last year and he will keep the tradition going,” Josh Fetters, junior, said.

In the meeting with the players Guthoff stressed academics, lifting, working hard, and commitment. He referenced back to his old coach at his high school in New York where there wasn’t any pressure on academics. They were more worried about just getting by so you were eligible to play.

“School comes first. You need to keep your grades up, and I will stress that the whole season,” Guthoff said. “Another thing is discipline. I’m not going to put up with it. If I can’t trust you in school, how am I supposed to trust you out on the field to run the right play?”
With the new staff coming in and the new players coming out, all starting positions are opened. Guthoff wanted to make that clear to the players at the meeting Monday morning.

“No one cares what you guys did last season. It’s not going to count for any wins this season. Everyone needs to step it up. There are a lot of question marks out there that need to be filled and just because you played last year doesn’t mean your position is secured,” Guthoff said. “Come camp everyone needs to work hard. You will be fighting for the position.”

Overall Guthoff wanted to reassure everyone that nothing is going to change but the new faces.

“We are committed to meeting the standard that is expected in this community. Not necessarily wins or losses as much as the type of team we put out on the field,” Guthoff said. “The road to winning the district six championship is going through Tyrone.”