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By JOE SYLVESTER jsylvester@leader.net
Wednesday, February 09, 2000 Page: 1B
LEHMAN TWP. – The waiting is over for Bobby Langan, now that the
Lake-Lehman School Board named him head football coach on Tuesday night.
But that doesn’t mean the 46-year-old former assistant can relax. With the
new coach comes a tough schedule that pits the now-Class 3A Black Knights
against some tough Class 3A and 4A teams.
“That’s what everybody keeps telling me,” Langan said late Tuesday of the
schedule where the likes of Berwick, Coughlin and Williamsport are looming.
Earlier in the evening, the School Board voted 8-0, with member Lois Kopcha
absent, to hire Langan for the 2000-2001 school year, replacing Rich Gorgone,
who retired. Langan will be paid $6,364.
“It’s something I’m happy about, obviously,” Langan said in a telephone
interview from his home in West Pittston. “I’ve looked forward to it since I
started out in coaching.”
Langan, who toiled as an assistant at Lehman for 15 years and the previous
10 at Wyoming Area, his alma mater, was expected to be hired. As if it was
needed, he had the support of more than 100 district residents who signed a
petition in favor of his hiring, said board member Charles Boytin of the
athletics/activities committee.
“I think Mr. Langan’s years of dedication to the sport and to the kids are
admirable,” Boytin said just before the vote.
Gorgone was happy with the choice, as well.
“I’m glad for him,” Gorgone said from his home. “He’ll keep the program
going the way it has been going. He was a loyal and outstanding assistant for
many years.”
Langan will face plenty of tough games his first season. This year, Lehman
moves up from Class 2A to 3A in the new 2000 Northeast Pennsylvania
Conference. The Knights will play in Division II South.
But he said his team will be ready.
“The players have been in the weight room,” Langan said. “A lot of the
kids are playing a lot of sports. It’s (the schedule) a challenge, but the
kids are working hard. Rich left a good foundation.”
And while he’s happy to be the head man, Langan said he was sad to see
Gorgone leave.
Call Sylvester at 829-7219.