New YAIAA coaches take helm for spring 2016
For the first time in more than a decade, there will be a new Panther in charge on the Central York boys' volleyball bench.
Longtime assistant coach Todd Goodling, who has been with the program since 1984, was named Brad Livingston's replacement in February. Goodling, who has been coaching at the high school and college levels for a combined 40 years, takes over a program that has won six state championships and 22 district titles. But he called it a "continuation" of Livingston's success, not a "takeover."
"Central's program has never been a 'coach-centric' program revolving around the personalities and egos of the people sitting at the head of the bench," Goodling said. "The program has been about working hard in the practice gym, being as prepared as possible and then allowing the athletes to step on the court and play the game.
"Coach Livingston has been my great friend for 30-plus years. The coaching staff and the team miss his presence, energy and humor in the practice gym and on the bench, but we will all work tirelessly to make him proud of the 2016 Central volleyball final product."
Here's a look at some of the other new coaches around the YAIAA this spring.
Baseball
Dallastown: Greg Kinneman replaces Scott Altland at the helm of the Wildcats, who went 11-9 overall last season and finished second in YAIAA Division I.
Hanover: Jordan Smith replaces Mark Williams at Hanover. The Nighthawks are coming off a two-win season and added former Florida Marlins minor leaguer Fritz Allison to the staff.
Littlestown: Larry Baumgardner replaces Todd Gantz after six years as an assistant coach. The Thunderbolts started last season red-hot but finished 11-7.
Red Lion: Kevin Lawrence steps into the manager position for a Lions team that went 10-9 overall last season.
West York: Scott Erickson takes over for Roger Czerwinski, who had a successful run at West York. The Bulldogs are the defending YAIAA champions and have won three of the last four league titles.
Softball
Dallastown: Howie Merriman takes over a Dallastown squad that went 13-6 overall and 12-3 in league play last season.
Boys' lacrosse
Dallastown: Joe Slessinger takes over for Phil Bates. Slessinger inherits a talented squad that many coaches around the league believe can contend for a YAIAA title. The rookie head coach will also be able to lean on the experience of well-respected seniors Cade Gold and Jack Marks.
Eastern York: Mike Particelli takes over from longtime coach Bob Rhein, who helped the sport gain traction in York County. Particelli will look to build on last season's .500 finish with key returners Dom Particelli, Brian Lehman and Kevin Royce.
Girls' lacrosse
Central York: Matt Klinedinst and Jocelyn Hudson will co-coach the Panthers, replacing Leif Johnson after a 4-9 finish in 2015.
Dallastown: Christin Beetz replaces Rachel Davis after the Wildcats went 6-10 last season.
Red Lion: Samantha Phipps steps into the coaching role at Red Lion this season. Phipps has a deep, talented roster capable of making a playoff push, led by newcomer Alyssa Adams and eight returning starters.
South Western: Randy Kavanaugh takes over in 2016 after Allison Lawhead's one-year stint. The Mustangs finished fifth in the YAIAA last season and lost in the first round of districts.
Boys' volleyball
New Oxford: Rachel Booth replaces Jason Barshinger as head coach of the Colonials.
Spring Grove: Cameron Mummert takes over as head coach of the Rockets. Spring Grove was mentioned by several opposing coaches as a potential team on the rise this season.
Susquehannock: Donna Sheddy steps into the head coaching role at Susquehannock, where the Warriors went 10-6 last season.
Track and field
Hanover: Kristen Koontz replaces Joe Kuhns as head coach of the Nighthawks boys' and girls' track programs.