Steve Wiser calls it a career at Lyco
By WES BRINK, wbrink@sungazette.comArticle Photos
Long-time defensive coordinator Steve Wiser, who has spent 38 years as a coach and a player, announced his resignation as coach. The resignation will go into effect at the end of this week.
“It’s been a great 38 years at Lycoming College,” Wiser said Monday night. “I spent 34 years as a coach and four years playing football and wrestling. I loved the time. It was probably some of the best times I’ve had. I’m a Lycoming Warrior and always will be.”
Wiser was a finalist for the head coaching job after Frank Girardi retired in early December after 36 years. Former Lyco player Mike Clark earned the job after spending the last eight seasons as a Davidson assistant.
Despite not being named Girardi’s predecessor, Wiser said the decision to resign was not influenced by his not getting the head coaching job.
“Some people will say differently, but no,” said Wiser. “That’s why I took some time to make this decision.”
Wiser, like everyone under Girardi, was offered spots on Clark’s staff. No hirings have been announced.
Wiser, a 1970 graduate of Bald Eagle Area, graduated from Lycoming in 1974 and immediately began his coaching career. Wiser was on a coaching staff that won 13 Middle Atlantic Conference Championships, made 11 trips to the NCAA Playoffs and played for the Division III National Championship twice.
Wiser’s defenses were often the mainstays of Lycoming football. Fifteen times during his tenure at Lycoming the Warriors defense was ranked No. 1 in the MAC. In 1975 and 1983, Lycoming’s defensive unit was the best in total defense.
“The kids know that we believed in them and we were confident in them,” said Wiser. “We always prided ourselves in getting the most out of our players. We were very positive with them. We would critique them but find different ways to motivate them and get the most out of them. We have confidence in them and that helps them. They know we’re sincere. We set high expectations.”
Lycoming went 3-7 in 2007 but its defense had a banner year. Defensively, Lycoming gave up an average of 20 points per game. Four defensive players were named to the all-conference team including Ryan Yaple, who earned All-American status after recording 14 quarterback sacks and 27 tackles for losses.
Wiser was quick to spread the praise to all of his defensive assistants that he has worked with, including Mike Weber, Jesse Smith, Ray Ross, Brad Gilmore, Joe Bressi, Bill Olsen, Tim Mahoney, A.C. Cruz, Jerry Girardi, Pat Schemery, Denny Hammond, Rich Zalonis, Gino Haupt, Steve Radocaj, Steve Dewar Ronnie Hoover, Terry Mantle, and Bobby George.
“I was very fortunate that Frank entrusted me with the defense over the years,” said Wiser. “I’ve been blessed with some outstanding coaches over the years. I always love to give them credit.”
Wiser continued, “As a coach, you have to have great assistants and great players who buy into what you’re doing. We were very fortunate at Lycoming to have outstanding athletes come through the system.”
Wiser’s relationship with Girardi may be his most well-known, though. It actually dates back into the 1960s, when Wiser played at Bald Eagle Area and against Girardi, who coached at Jersey Shore. That relationship later turned into player-coach and later coach-coach, which lasted nearly four decades.
“When Frank took over, he made it fun,” said Wiser. “That was the beginning of turning things around. I was very fortunate that after I graduated, Frank came to me and gave me my chance. I wanted to stay here. One of my goals was to turn something around. Unfortunately, I didn’t do it as a player, but I had a pretty good role in putting this team on the map nation-wide.”
One of Girardi’s core concepts as coach of Lycoming was family, something that didn’t go unnoticed by his long-time defensive coordinator.
“Frank did it the right way,” said Wiser. “He made family important and the kids important. He built a family.”
Is coaching again in the future for Wiser? Possibly. But for right now, he just wants to relax. Wiser retired in June, 2006 as a social studies teacher from Williamsport High School after 32 years.
“Right now, I’m going to step away,”he said. “It’s time for me to enjoy some of the things that I’ve missed over the years. For the longest time, I woke up Lycoming, ate Lycoming, and slept Lycoming. I have to get that balance in my life that I’ve never had. It’s been great but you have to have balance in your life.”
