By Michael Boytim

mboytim@altoonamirror.com

Dave “Spank” Trexler recently submitted his letter of resignation as the head coach of the Glendale varsity football team.

The board is expected to officially accept his resignation at the Dec. 2 meeting.

Trexler helped the Vikings qualify for the District 6 playoffs in five of his six seasons, and they won a playoff game over Penns Manor, 16-12, in 2021.

Glendale finished this season 6-5 and lost to Claysburg-Kimmel in the District 6 Class 1A quarterfinals.

Trexler finished his time at Glendale with a mark of 27-35 in his six seasons.

“I never got involved for the spotlight,” Trexler said. “I just wanted to help the program, and along the way I fell in love with the kids.”

The Vikings started off this past season with perhaps their best win in Trexler’s tenure — a 14-7 triumph over eventual District 5 and Inter-County Conference South champion Windber before losing four of their last six games.

In his letter of resignation, Trexler mentioned no player was ever academically ineligible under his guidance, something he was very proud of from his tenure.

He also urged the school to improve safety protocols and for Glendale to retain his coaching staff and consider them for the head coaching position.

“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the entire administration, staff, parents, and the Glendale Viking community for their unwavering support,” Trexler wrote in his resignation letter. “I would also like to specifically thank the GASD Board and Administration for their backing of our program, with special recognition to Mrs. Patricia McGarvey, Mr. Kevin Hamilton, Mr. Dan Dudurich and Mr. Jeff Peachman for their professionalism, guidance, and extraordinary efforts in advancing our program. Finally, I would like to publicly thank my wife, Shannon, and my entire family for their support and sacrifice during the countless hours that all coaches give in service of their programs.”

Trexler also made it a point to single out former Clearfield head coach Tim Janocko and his help with the team the last two seasons and called him “a tremendous asset and true role model for our players, coaches, and me personally.”

Janocko said Trexler’s character drew him to helping the program.

“He did an outstanding job, and he’s an outstanding coach,” Janocko said. “He’s an even better person. He’s a very high-character guy. That was one of the reasons when he asked me to help out that I agreed to it. I can’t say enough good things about him as a coach and as a person.”