Some familiar faces will return and a new face will soon be hired for Bridgeport High School’s football staff for the upcoming 2014 football season, according to school officials. And coming off a state championship season, having some familiarity may very well be some good news.

 

According to Harrison County Board of Education President David Sturm, the BOE recently approved new one-year contracts for Indians’ freshman football coach Jeff Hathaway and varsity assistant coach Jason Nicewarner. Last year, Hathaway spent time in the booth helping with plays, while Nicewarner was back on the field helping is brother, head coach Josh Nicewarner, with on-field activities.

 

“We’re glad to have both of them back,” said BHS Principal Mark DeFazio.

 

The pair re-apply for their positions every year. Multiple coaches across Harrison County that are not official educators, but have taken the necessary RESA training, go through the same process.

 

While that order of business is taken care of, DeFazio said the most pressing matter involving the BHS coaching staff at this moment involves finding a replacement for Teresa Liebig. Liebig, who stepped down to spend more time with her family, has served as the school’s trainer for roughly the past decade. Now, the process for finding someone to step in begins.

 

“Once Teresa’s official resignation is accepted by the Board (of Education) then they will post that job,” said DeFazio. “The postings last for five days and we’re hoping that someone that is a certified trainer will apply. If that’s the case, we should find someone.”

 

The candidate or candidates still have to go through the interview process, which involves DeFazio and BHS Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Matt DeMotto and others if they so choose. The administration then will make a recommendation and submit it back to the BOE. The BOE, barring unusual circumstances, always approves the recommendations.

 

For DeFazio, the hope is to find someone that understands the Bridgeport program. He also hopes to find someone that fits in with the existing medical staff.

 

“Teresa did an outstanding job and was very loyal and supportive of Bridgeport High School in every way very loyal, plus the coaches respected her,” DeFazio said. “We’re story to lose her, but when you have two young children at home and you want to spend more time with them it’s hard to find fault with that. I certainly understand and everyone else does as well.”

 

Whoever comes aboard will be spending time with several others who have been assisting medically for years on the BHS sideline. Nicewarner has called the group of team doctor Kelly Nelson and physical therapists Mike Martin and Jack Spatafore as “the best staff in the state.” DeFazio doesn’t disagree and believes that finding someone to fit in to Liebig’s spot easily is critical.

 

“Ideally, it’s someone familiar with Bridgeport High School and Bridgeport football,” said DeFazio. “It’s important to not only have people familiar with your program, but people to serve for a long time. Most athletic teams should take note of how the Pittsburgh Steelers handle things from their front office down to their staff. They’re all there for a long time and success has followed. We hope that’s the case here. Continuity is important to success and makes a program stable.”

 

DeFazio said he’s confident the position will be filled by June. That would allow the football team to have a trainer on hand for the upcoming three-week summer training period.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Jason Nicewarner working with the team, while Jeff Hathaway is in the middle of the bottom photo surrounded by Brett Hathaway, left, and Tom Hilton. Photos by Ben Queen of www.benqueenphotography.com.