Click here to subscribe today or Login.
First Posted: 5/13/2014
J.J. Konigus coached at Crestwood for the last four seasons and created a special relationship with his wrestlers.
But when he got the opportunity to coach at his alma mater and could have the chance to coach his sons, in basically his backyard, he couldn’t pass it up.
The Lake-Lehman grad and former longtime assistant at the program was approved by the school board Monday to become the new wrestling coach at the school.
“Kinda felt like I was in the NFL Draft waiting to get drafted. I was a little nervous,” said Konigus, who attended the meeting and knew beforehand he was the favorite at that time, but still had to get approved at the meeting.
Konigus took one of two Wyoming Valley Conference wrestling coach vacancies to get filled at meetings Monday, as Coughlin filled its void by hiring junior high coach Tom Belles to the post.
Konigus was an assistant with the Black Knights under former coach Phil Lipski from 2005-10. When Lipski resigned four years ago, Konigus applied for the job, but the post was given to Tom Williams. So Konigus applied for the vacancy at Crestwood and was hired. He spent the last four seasons with the Comets, and despite having trouble in the team wins category and a decline in numbers, he still coached a state qualifier every season except 2014, making the decision harder to step away.
However, when Williams stepped down last month, Konigus jumped at the prospect of landing his dream job.
“I created a really good bond with all of the kids. The parents and booster club were awesome,” Konigus said of Crestwood. “I love all of those wrestlers. It was tough telling (standout) Danny (Ritz). That was my goal was to stay until he graduated. But I had to take the opportunity now when I could.”
Konigus’ oldest son, Caleb, will be entering high school next school year, and J.J. will now be able to coach his son.
“My family had a big part of it. I wanted to coach my kids if I could. It’s heart-breaking leaving Crestwood. … I’m coming home,” Konigus added.
When he teamed with Lipski, they coached the school’s last PIAA champion, Scott Davis in 2007 – which was also the last time a Wyoming Valley Conference wrestler won a state gold. Konigus, who submitted his resignation to Crestwood after learning of getting the Lehman job, said his top assistant will be Will Weber, who was in the same position with the Comets.
Belles has led the Crusaders junior high program for the last several years and helped many wrestlers go on to grab state and district medals on the varsity level.
It was known since before the 2013-14 season that there would be a vacancy at Coughlin as Steve Stahl got an administrative job as dean of students at the high school. However, he was suspended without pay for the last five weeks of the season. In his absence, Rubin Prophete, Bob Hawkins and Dave Parsnik helped run the team, along with Belles.
There is a school board meeting at Crestwood on Thursday, but it’s likely that the new wrestling coach won’t be appointed until the following one June 13.