Apollo-Ridge girls basketball coach Callipare won’t return

By: Doug Gulasy
Tuesday, April 2, 2019 | 6:19 PM

Apollo-Ridge’s next mission is finding a new girls basketball coach. The Vikings are searching for a replacement for Jim Callipare, who won’t return after six seasons and five WPIAL playoff appearances.

Athletic director Ray Bartha said he planned to recommend to the school board to rehire Callipare for the 2019-20 season, but Callipare elected not to come back.

“We competed every year he was here,” Bartha said. “I had no problems with him. We had no problems with him.”

Callipare, who coached the Ford City boys and Elderton girls before coming to Apollo-Ridge, led the Vikings to a 73-65 overall record (32-44 in section play) in six seasons.

The Vikings qualified for the postseason in every season but one under Callipare and won a pair of playoff games, advancing to the WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinals in 2018 after a first-round upset of Charleroi.

Despite playing up a level in Class 4A in 2018-19, Apollo-Ridge qualified for the WPIAL playoffs again, bowing out with a first-round loss to Southmoreland.

Bartha said the district will begin searching for a replacement for Callipare, with candidates needing to send a letter of interest, resume and clearances to him at 1825 State Route 56, Spring Church, PA, 15686. Candidates also can contact 724-478-6033. The deadline to apply is April 18.

Doug Gulasy is a Tribune-Review Staff Writer. You can contact Doug at 412-388-5830, dgulasy@tribweb.com or via Twitter .

Tags: Apollo-Ridge