Marabito Won't Return As Trojans Head Coach

When the 2010 high school football season begins, Greater Johnstown High School will have a new head coach leading its program.

Kevin Marabito will not return for a fourth season, saying he requested that the school not renew his contract which expired after the Trojans District 6-AAA championship season.

"I felt it was the right time to get out," Marabito told WJAC. "I couldn't have done any more than what I did."

Marabito went 23-11 in three seasons as Trojans head coach. He led Johnstown to district championship games in two of those seasons, including the school's first District 6-AAA title since 2004 last fall. Johnstown lost to eventual state champion Selinsgrove 35-3 in the first round of the PIAA state playoffs in December.

"Sometimes in your heart maybe you feel you didn't do enough, but I'm not disappointed," Marabito said. "You get 23 wins and that's an accomplishment. Sometimes, coaches don't get 23 wins in a career.

"Things are headed in the right direction."

Marabito added he spoke to a few of his players, who said they were disappointed. Twenty-nine of his seniors went on to play football, go to college, or joined the armed forces, which Marabito said was extremely important to him.

"Once a kid graduates, hopefully I can give them something they can carry on," he said. "Football is eventually going to end, and I wanted to guide them."

Football does not appear to be over however for Marabito. He said he was not yet sure what he would do next season, but is confident he'll be on a sideline somewhere.

"I'm not done coaching. I still enjoy the game," he said. "I'm not ruling anything out."

Marabito added he has spoken with coaches about joining their programs next season, but would not say which teams in particular are interested.

"Sometimes you don't know if you're cut out to be a head coach. I could be an assistant somewhere. I've had a couple guys talk to me [about joining their team]. I've got some things going on with my son and daughter, but I feel certain I'll be coaching in the fall."