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By Michael Boytim
mboytim@altoonamirror.com
It's not often that high school coaches give their true thoughts on off-the-field drama or the day-to-day challenges coaching brings, especially an active coach.
But that's exactly what Portage varsity football coach Marty Slanoc did Saturday morning, even after the Mustangs opened their season with a convincing win over Conemaugh Valley on the road.
Slanoc is in his fourth year as a head coach after taking over for Portage legend Gary Gouse, but he's spent a quarter of a century on the sideline. He made it clear his post on "X" -- formerly known as Twitter -- wasn't about his team, just high school sports teams in general.
Slanoc began his post, "'Team chemistry is killed at the dinner table.' Ask any coach. Week one ends and overreaction takes place. Is this how the season will go? Is this the playing time my son will receive? Is this how he will be used?"
The veteran coach said the phrase came to him after speaking with several other coaches over the years about things that contributed to frustrations in their programs and failures on the field, and he's right.
Too many times parents and players lose sight of the big picture, because the idea of earning a college scholarship and reaching individual accomplishments is more prevalent than ever.
Slanoc went on to explain traits that go along with those dinner-table talks and better approaches going forward.
"Overreacting. It's common and easy. Parents, go easy on your coaches in all sports early on, they have a plan, they are constantly adjusting," Slanoc wrote. "Chances are good they aren't happy with all aspects and changes have to be made."
The second aspect is something everyone who has attended a high school game has heard. Complaints about the coaches and referees from the stands.
"Talk is just talk. Parents, relatives, friends from outside the program will always have thoughts on how the team should be run," Slanoc wrote. "They don't know the culture, they don't know the goals, they only see the games. Remember, they have one person in mind. Be team oriented."
His next point is something I have seen throughout my 18 years of covering high school football. Players who are unheard of in the first week can become stars by the postseason.
"Teams evolve. Things change throughout the season. I am in my 25th year of coaching and never has a game one lineup, play calling, defensive scheme, remained the same. Have patience."
Next, instead of complaining about the difficulty coaching in 2023 can bring, Slanoc rightfully points out it's also difficult for everyone involved at times.
"It's all hard. Coaching is hard. Being a parent is hard. Being a booster is hard. Being a player is really hard," Slanoc wrote. "Know your role, do that role the best you can. Don't bring drama to a team."
Though drama should be avoided if possible, he notes that it's almost impossible that it never exists. Dealing with it -- and in the correct way -- is paramount.
"Real problems need addressed. Abuse of any kind cannot be tolerated," Slanoc wrote. "Start with your player addressing the coach. Follow the chain of command."
Finally, Slanoc reminded everyone the true point of high school sports -- not winning, not getting a college scholarship and not breaking the school record.
"Enjoy. These seasons come and go so fast. You will regret what you don't enjoy," Slanoc wrote. "I have had many parents of past players tell me this exact statement."
Slanoc has a son on this year's Portage team, and his oldest child just left for college. Reflecting on those things helped lead to Saturday's post.
"I was doing some football stuff, and maybe I'm getting a little older and more reflective, but someone asked me how long I have been coaching," Slanoc said. "I started to add it up, and I realized it was my 25th year. Maybe some of that has to do with it. My first child, my daughter, headed off to college, and I just was really reflecting on everything. I have heard some feedback from my friends and had some messages sent to me. (Attention) wasn't really what I was looking for, but I just wanted to get that message out there to not overreact and try to enjoy it."
Being involved in high school sports can be very rewarding, but it's often hard and thankless. Some reach great success, others quickly flame out. Anyone that helps contribute to a child having a positive experience should be proud of themselves, but being honest and open in the face of possible criticism is perhaps the rarest quality of all.
Take a bow, Coach Slanoc.
Michael Boytim can be reached at mboytim@altoonamirror.com or 814-946-7521. Follow him on X @BoytimMichael.