WPIAL wants Valley to suspend football coach Colosimo
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Tuesday, October 3, 2017 | 6:18 PM
Valley must suspend football coach William “Muzzy” Colosimo for one game or the WPIAL will ban the team from the playoffs indefinitely.
The WPIAL wanted Colosimo disciplined because he refused to finish Friday's fight-marred game, WPIAL executive director Tim O'Malley said after a hearing Tuesday in Green Tree.
Colosimo, who attended the hearing, declined comment.
Friday's nonconference contest with Ellwood City was interrupted by a fight with 1 minute, 41 seconds left after an unsuccessful on-side kick by Valley. Game officials and Ellwood City coach Nick Hand wanted to complete the final seconds, O'Malley said, but Colosimo refused.
Ellwood City led 20-18 and was awarded the win.
“The board was of the opinion that (finishing the game) is something he should have done,” O'Malley said. “(Valley) contended that it was a safety issue. Obviously, they can appeal that (WPIAL decision).”
Colosimo is in his fourth season at Valley. Previously, he went 143-46 in 17 seasons at Greensburg Central Catholic, with a WPIAL title and a PIAA runner-up finish included. He also was hired as Valley's athletic director in 2014, six months after becoming the school's football coach.
Representatives from both school as well as the on-field game officials attended Tuesday's hearing at the WPIAL office.
The WPIAL cannot suspend coaches directly but can use playoff participation as leverage.
Additionally, both coaching staffs were censured “for their inability to maintain control on their sideline,” and both programs were put on probation, O'Malley said. Also, both schools will need to create an administrative plan to avoid future issues, he said.
The incident started with bumping after the whistle. It escalated when a Valley player grabbed an Ellwood City player's facemask, leading to pushes and punches. Seven players were ejected during the scuffle, four from Valley and three from Ellwood City. PIAA rules make them ineligible to play this week.
Valley (1-4) visits Shady Side Academy on Friday. Ellwood City (2-3) hosts Beaver.
“That's no way to end any football game,” Ellwood City athletic director Curt Agostinelli said. “Both kids, both sides, it just wasn't a good situation. Hopefully, we remedied that today.”
Chris Harlan is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at charlan@tribweb.com or via Twitter @CHarlan_Trib.
Tags: Ellwood City, Valley
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