New West Mifflin coach to focus on physicality, rely on star running back

By: Mark Nitowski
Sunday, August 10, 2025 | 6:01 AM

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B.J. Pugh considers being the football coach at West Mifflin his dream job.

“I’ve envisioned being a head (football) coach for a long time, particularly at West Mifflin. It’s my alma mater,” said Pugh, who was hired in February to succeed Rod Steele.

A 1995 graduate, Pugh quarterbacked West Mifflin before moving on to earn all-conference honors at Bethany College. He’s taught at West Mifflin for more than 25 years and has coached a variety of Titan sports teams, including serving a stint as defensive coordinator under former head coach Ray Braszo.

Pugh put his football coaching career on hold almost a decade ago to watch his son, Jake, play. The younger Pugh quarterbacked Thomas Jefferson to WPIAL and PIAA titles before starring at Washington & Jefferson College.

When Jacob ended his college career last fall, Pugh contemplated a return to the sideline at the same time the West Mifflin job opened.

“I told my wife that this would be the first fall I wouldn’t be around football,” he said. “I asked her about applying for the job and she said, ‘Go for it.’ I threw my name in there and momentum picked up, and I got hired. Opportunity knocked at the right time.”

With Pugh’s West Mifflin background, the Titans might resemble previous squads. But he said he’s not wed to specific offensive or defensive schemes.

“I don’t have a particular identity,” he said. “It’s more about the basic fundamentals, blocking and tackling and getting after people. We want to try to be as physical as possible, be the toughest team out there. Controlling the trenches is how you win, especially in western Pennsylvania.”

Pugh takes over a Titan squad that finished 5-5 overall and 3-2 in the Class 4A Greater Allegheny Conference last season.

“We definitely have some outstanding talent at certain positions and some voids left with players graduating,” he said. “The kids have put in a lot of time in the offseason and we’ll see where it takes us.”

Having running back/cornerback Armand Hill back for his junior season should help Pugh’s transition to the head coaching position.

“He’s a special player,” Pugh said. “I’ve watched a lot of film and I’ve seen him do things that make you just say wow, especially when you consider he was just a sophomore (last season).”

A West Virginia commit, the 5-foot-8, 170-pounder already has surpassed 3,000 career rushing yards. He earned all-conference honors on offense in 2024, but Pugh said Hill takes just as much pride in his ball-hawking play on defense.

“There is something unique about next-level guys and he carries that ability,” Pugh said. “His work ethic is amazing, whether it’s in the weight room or on the field. His motor is rather impressive. He’s blessed with special talent, but he truly does work hard at his craft.”

Helping to clear running lanes for the shifty Hill will be senior Saeon Coleman. An all-conference selection at guard, Coleman will help anchor the offensive line with seniors Dylan Schofield and Ethan Thomas and junior Braden Leschen.

“The three seniors have stood out with their work ethic and experience,” Pugh said. “Leschen made the switch from tight end to the line last season.”

Sophomore Zuwand Glover is looking to replace last year’s starting quarterback, Zahir Ismaeli, who’s now playing at Westinghouse in the City League.

“Experience is the biggest question mark with Zuwand, but he’s a great learner and has shown the most progress,” Pugh said.

The starting signal caller should be able to target a talented receiving corps led by junior Sincere Degree, senior Jose Perez and sophomore Malecc Cobb.

“We have a handful of guys at receiver who have been doing some impressive things,” Pugh said. “I could see us exploring ways of getting the ball to them.”

On defense, Pugh plans to play a 4-4 alignment.

In the backfield, Hill and Perez should give the Titans a pair of shutdown cornerbacks. Jerralle Mason returns at safety after earning a starting spot as a freshman.

Senior Darnell Carswell and Degree will spearhead the linebacking contingent.

“Degree will play on the outside,” Pugh said. “He’s physical and fast with a great motor.”

Junior Elijah Rudolph received all-conference honors at defensive end last season.

“He’s a fantastic kid with an unreal work ethic,” Pugh said.

Joining Rudolph on the defensive line should be Coleman, Thomas and Schofield.

The opportunity to play for a new coaching staff convinced a group of newcomers to come out for the team, including senior Grayson Wierzchowski.

“Some of them played in middle school or early in their high school careers,” Pugh said. “It will be interesting to see what they bring to the table.”

Last season, the Titans finished behind McKeesport and Mars in conference play, missing the playoffs. Other conference foes include Knoch, Hampton and Indiana.

“I know McKeesport has a lot coming back and they are excited about what they can do,” Pugh said. “Mars has some nice talent in place and an excellent coaching staff.

“We want to be included in the conversation with the top teams, but we have to show up and earn it.”

West Mifflin

Coach: B.J. Pugh

2024 record: 5-5, 3-2 in Class 4A Greater Allegheny Conference

All-time record: 312-321-12

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.23 at Elizabeth Forward, 7-a

8.29 Avonworth, 7

9.5 at Baldwin, 7

9.12 Bethel Park, 7

9.19 at Thomas Jefferson, 7

9.26 at Mars*, 7

10.3 McKeesport*, 7

10.10 Indiana*, 7

10.17 at Knoch*, 7

10.24 at Hampton*, 7

*Conference game

a-KDKA Classic at Wolvarena

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: Zahir Ismaeli*

38-77, 619 yards, 4 TDs

Rushing: Armand Hill

188-1,693 yards, 23 TDs

Receiving: Sincere Degree

11-349 yards, 4 TDs

*Transferred

FAST FACTS

• Armand Hill is ranked by rivals.com as the No. 4 player in Pennsylvania and 134th in the country for the Class of 2027.

• B.J. Pugh served as West Mifflin’s boys varsity golf coach last year. He previously was a basketball assistant under head coach Lance Maha, who’s now the Titans athletic director.

• When West Mifflin opened up the head coaching position, Rod Steele decided not to reapply for the job. He later was hired as Bishop Canevin head coach.

• After earning all-conference honors last season, Titans graduate Jaiden Brown-Demery is now a freshman defensive lineman at Division I Akron.

Tags: West Mifflin