After 31 seasons and over 400 coaching victories, Jana Klezek figured that enough was enough.
Klezek's resignation as the long-time coach of the Central Cambria girls basketball program was accepted at a meeting of the Central Cambria School Board earlier this month. She will also step down from her position as assistant softball coach, effective at the end of this season.
Klezek, 51, a 1977 Central Cambria and 1980 Indiana University of Pennsylvania graduate, will continue in her teaching position as a health and wellness instructor at Central Cambria.
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Klezek directed Central Cambria to a 407-301 record in 31 seasons as coach, including a 13-11 mark this past season, when the team qualified for the District 6 Class AA playoffs. In 1995, the Lady Devils won the District 6 Class AA championship and made it to what was then the western semifinal round of the PIAA playoffs.
Klezek just felt the time was right for her to step down.
"It may seem like I'm being vague, but it was just time,'' Klezek said of her decision. "I've been coaching a long time, and there have been a lot of changes in the whole scheme of things. It was just time.''
Klezek is thankful for the many great memories and personal relationships she has forged as a Central Cambria coach.
"I've been lucky in that I've always had such a great group of kids to coach,'' she said. "Our booster club and administration here have been great, and I've had assistant coaches that have helped develop this program.''
Klezek, her husband, Stan "Stush" Klezek, and their grown children, Wade, 24, and Julie, 22, have had long-time involvements as players and/or coaches in various sports at Central Cambria.
"Athletics have been a big part of our lives, and it's going to be very different now,'' Jana Klezek said. "I just think it's time to settle down and have more family time.''
Klezek is one of several long-time Central Cambria varsity coaches who are announcing, or have announced, that this is their last year. Ken Bussard (football) and Steve Traino (boys basketball) have resigned their coaching posts, and Pat Stock (softball) will do so at this season's end.
Central Cambria athletic director Ron Stempka knows that Klezek, like the others, will leave big shoes to fill.
"She's a good teacher and a hard worker, and that reflects in her coaching,'' Stempka said of Klezek. "She's extremely good with the students, and she has a great heart. You hate to see people like her leaving the coaching ranks.''
Stempka said that the coaching vacancy has been posted internally, and that the Central Cambria school board will interview candidates for the position and announce Klezek's successor at a later date.
