Deer Lakes promotes former Lancers QB Burk to head coach

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, July 30, 2018 | 11:36 PM

Deer Lakes didn’t have to go far to select its new football coach.

The school board hired 1997 graduate Tim Burk as the new Lancers coach, replacing Steve Sciullo.

A quarterback in his playing days, Burk had been the team’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in recent years.

Burk played under former coach Tony Taliani and is a patrolman with the West Deer Police Department.

His father-in-law, Larry Rommes, was the Lancers coach from 2000-02.

“I’ve had the privilege of playing under and coaching under some excellent head coaches,” Burk said. “I am excited beyond words to apply some of the lessons I’ve learned over the years as an assistant to this job and becoming the head coach at my alma mater.”

Sciullo announced he was leaving in May to take a full-time position with the Hampton Township School District.

The school board accepted Sciullo’s resignation at its June meeting but had not planned a July board meeting.

A special meeting was called Monday night to fill the coaching vacancy and to hire a new middle school assistant principal, a new elementary guidance counselor and a new technology instructor.

Athletic director Charles Bellisario said he was disappointed to lose Sciullo, but when forced to consider a replacement, he felt Burk was the right person.

“It’s difficult to imagine a better fit for the program at this time than Tim Burk,” Bellisario said. “He’s a great coach and an even better person, and we are thrilled to have him as our head coach.”

Burk’s first game as coach will be Aug. 31 at Elizabeth Forward.

George Guido is a freelance writer.