Hempfield hires girls basketball, wrestling, girls lacrosse coaches

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Monday, September 11, 2023 | 8:43 PM

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Hempfield hired three varsity head coaches Monday.

Bob Madison was approved for girls basketball, while Steve Santia will lead the wrestling team, and Mackenzie Whatule takes over the girls lacrosse program.

Madison was a former assistant at Laurel Highlands, his alma mater. He is the husband of Hempfield softball coach Tina Madison and is an assistant on her staff.

Bob Madison was an assistant girls coach at Laurel Highlands from 2013-16 and also coached freshman baseball from 2008-13. He replaces Tom Brush, who resigned as head coach after five seasons.

Santia, the Spartans’ junior high wrestling coach, used to be the head wrestling coach at Southmoreland. He won a PIAA heavyweight championship while wrestling for Hempfield.

Santia replaces Vince DeAugustine, who resigned after 16 years at Hempfield — over two stints — to become head wrestling coach at Seton Hill.

Whatule was an assistant for three years at Hempfield. She replaces Nathaniel Newsted, who coached for three years.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Hempfield