Apr 3, 2024 By Jonathan Guth 4 min read

It was one-and-done for Joe Greer as Charleroi head boys basketball coach.

Greer, who guided the Cougars this past season to an overall record of 8-14 and a Class 3A Section 4 mark of 3-9, submitted his letter of resignation to the superintendent of the Charleroi Area School District, Dr. Edward J. Zelich, after coaching the boys team for one year.

In the letter, Greer indicated that he made the decision with a “heavy heart,” as he enjoyed the experience from Day 1.

Greer continued that his resignation has nothing to do with the school district, parents or the student-athletes, but is strictly personal and family related. He stated that he wanted to be an “all-in” coach and believed he did that from the day he was hired, but several significant and unanticipated changes in his personal and family life will hinder treating the role as a full-time job.

Greer added that he has never been a “part-time” coach and he will not start now, but he needs to spend the majority of his time and focus on his personal and family life. He said his energy and passion for the game remains high.

The record was not up to Greer’s expectations, but he wrote to Zelich that he believes the season was a success in creating a new culture and building a foundation for future success.

Greer was hired June 27 to replace longtime coach Bill Wiltz. The job was Greer’s first head coaching experience, but he had plenty of years as an assistant, including working under Kyle DeGregorio at Belle Vernon.

Rockets get new AD

Jefferson-Morgan will have a new athletic director starting June 1 as Bruce Ellsworth was introduced through a release from the school district.

Ellsworth has 20 years of experience at Consol Energy, where he serves as the warehouse manager for the Bailey preparation plant. He is a Jefferson-Morgan graduate and

studied at Waynesburg College (University), which laid the groundwork in business management.

Ellsworth has been involved in youth sports in the Jefferson-Morgan community for over a decade. He works with young athletes in baseball, basketball and soccer, and is the founder and head coach of a travel baseball team.

Ellsworth serves on the boards of J-M Youth Baseball and J-M Youth Basketball, and is vice president of the Jefferson-Morgan varsity baseball boosters. Ellsworth has coaching experience as an assistant and head coach within the Jefferson-Morgan sports programs.

The former Rocket has been working with the current athletic director Scot Moore to get acclimated to what the position will entail. Moore will be retiring.

Weather is a factor

The high school baseball and softball seasons are approaching their third week, but the majority of teams in the Observer-Reporter coverage area and the WPIAL have been affected by rainouts, which has wiped out most of the games this week.

Some teams began their seasons playing games in warmer climates like Tennessee and Florida, but once they returned home they’ve had to wait to start playing meaningful games, especially for teams that do not have turf infields.

Canon-McMillan and Trinity played their first section games in baseball Wednesday, which were held on artificial surfaces. Peters Township softball was in action, but the Indians played on a turf field.

Mother Nature has always played a part in baseball and softball, but in Southwestern Pennsylvania, it pops up more than administrators, coaches and players would like.

The games always get in, but anyone that has an interest in watching baseball and softball this season should get ready for many games being played over a short period of time and a number of Saturday contests.