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Mark Fitzhenry
Tuesday, January 25, 2000 Page: 1B
Officially, the window to apply for the head football coaching position at
Lake-Lehman closes today. But we know better. It really closed when Bobby
Langan applied.
The list of available coaches who deserve this position starts with
Langan’s name. It doesn’t go any further.
“I don’t think there’s a question out there,” said Wyoming Area coach
Paul Marranca.
Langan has been an assistant coach at Lake-Lehman for 15 years. He spent
the previous 10 at his alma mater Wyoming Area. He’s coached quarterbacks,
running backs, offensive linemen and defensive linemen. He’s been an offensive
coordinator. He’s been a defensive coordinator.
He’s never been a head coach.
That should change Feb. 8, when the Lake-Lehman School Board appoints its
coach. Sure, this is politics-ridden Wyoming Valley, but this one can’t
possibly be screwed up.
Athletic Director Rodger Bearde says so. Former coach Rich Gorgone says so.
And Langan admits he thinks about the job every day and guides the returning
players toward the weight room.
“I’d say for 25 years I’ve thought about it,” said Langan, 46. “I think
about it every day. It’s not too far from the conscious frame of mind.”
Langan has paid his dues
He’s entitled to feel that way.
For 10 years, Langan served as assistant at Wyoming Area, where starred as
a running back. For those same 10 years, he served as a substitute teacher,
waiting for a full-time job. It never came, and Langan lived with his parents
while he struggled financially.
In 1985, he became a substitute at Lake-Lehman. Langan became a full-time
history teacher the next year.
“Maybe things worked out the way they were supposed to,” Langan said.
Langan says he will stay at Lake-Lehman until he retires. His loyalty
should pay off with his appointment as head coach.
But first, a story. In 1984, Langan’s final year at Wyoming Area, he set
his wedding date for late November. He figured it was safe because the
Warriors weren’t expected to do well.
Naturally, Wyoming Area made the Eastern Conference playoffs, hosting Mount
Carmel the day of Langan’s wedding. How about that – coaches spend every
weekend devouring film and going through every possible scenario, and Langan
is stuck with a football game on his wedding day.
He moved the ceremony up one hour, resulting in uninformed guests arriving
by the time the new Mr. and Mrs. Langan were leaving. He made it to the game,
coaching from the sidelines in a tuxedo while Jannette watched in her wedding
gown from the press box.
Fifteen years and two months later, here comes another perfect match.
Fitzhenry can be reached at 829-7218 or markf@leader.net