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After 3-year absence, the former WVW coach now works for Royals.
Michaels
Former Wyoming Valley West coach Ed Michaels is back on the sideline again.
It’s not quite at the position he desires, but for now the role of defensive coordinator for Holy Redeemer is just fine.
“I definitely want to be a head coach again. There’s no doubt about it,” Michaels said. “For right now, I’m happy what I’m doing.”
Michaels’ defense will have a huge task tomorrow night when it plays defending Wyoming Valley Conference Division 2A champion GAR at 7 p.m. at Wilkes-Barre Memorial Stadium.
Eight games are on tap for 7 p.m. today: Crestwood at Berwick; Dallas at Williamsport; Lake-Lehman at Hanover Area; Meyers at Coughlin; Northwest at Lourdes Regional; Tunkhannock at Pittston Area; Wyoming Area at Nanticoke; andWyoming Valley West at Scranton.
Hazleton Area is at Abington Heights at 1 p.m. tomorrow.
Ironically, the WVC’s only new coach is Valley West’s Pat Keating, who replaced George Curry who replaced Michaels after the 2005 season.
The Valley West School Board wasted little time appointing Keating, unlike the tumultuous process of hiring Curry that dragged on for a few months. Curry resigned shortly after the 2008 season, citing health issues.
Michaels coached Valley West for eight years, compiling a 56-30 record, winning two District 2 Class 4A championships and making the postseason four times. He coached the defensive backs at Wilkes University in 2006 and 2007, but elected to step away from coaching last year.
“Don’t get me wrong, I spent more time with my kids than I ever had. But I really missed coaching football,” Michaels said. “After sitting out and the two years I really enjoyed at Wilkes, I said hopefully I can get back out.”
Actually, Redeemer coach Len Butczynski has been trying to get Michaels on his staff for awhile. He contacted Michaels two years ago and again last year.
Butczynski tried again for a third time, beating Michaels to the punch.
“I was actually going to call him and he called me up and said ‘You know what I’m calling you for,’” Michaels said. “And I said ‘Yeah, I’m very interested.’
“It is different, but I can say I’m enjoying it.”
The biggest difference is roster size. Redeemer has 31 players, about half of what Michaels worked with in his final season at Valley West. But that was a minor issue. Michaels wanted to get back to more of a hands-on approach to coaching, something he couldn’t fulfill completely at Wilkes.
“The big thing is Lenny has given me the full reign (on defense),” Michaels said. “It’s my terminology I used at Valley West. Everything we did at Valley West – everything – he adapted.
“That’s one of the main reasons I came back.”
WEEK ONE SCHEDULE
Today’s games
(7 p.m.)
Crestwood at Berwick
Dallas at Williamsport
Lake-Lehman at Hanover Area
Meyers at Coughlin
Northwest at Lourdes Regional
Tunkhannock at Pittston Area
Wyoming Area at Nanticoke
Wyoming Valley West at Scranton
Tomorrow’s games
Hazleton Area at Abington Heights, 1 p.m.
Holy Redeemer at GAR, 7 p.m.