Font Resize
This fall is no exception, as four YAIAA schools have new men at the helm - although two of the coaches aren't exactly "new."
Eastern York welcomes back Jeff Shutter, who coached the Golden Knights for eight seasons before stepping down three years ago. And Bill Miller returns to Dover after three years coaching elsewhere.
Joining the pair are Denny Garman, who replaces Steve Wiles at Hanover, and Ron Miller, who succeeds the legendary Terry Bupp at West York.
Garman has been around Hanover athletics for years, while Ron Miller was an assistant head coach at Susquehanna University.
Although not head coaches, both returning mentors still spent a great deal of time in the press box while away.
Bill Miller was an assistant on Rick Mauck's staff at perennial District 3 powerhouse Northern York, while Shutter was an offensive coach at Franklin & Marshall College.
Despite having seven previous years as a head coach, Bill Miller was quick to mention that it was a great learning experience at Northern.
"There is nothing more valuable for a head coach than to be an assistant coach," he said.
Shutter found the same thing, but at the next level.
"It gave me a better appreciation for my assistant coaches," he said. "Maybe it will even allow
For his part, Bill Miller's first adjustment might be when the games are played. Three years ago, Dover did not have lights, so its home games were played on Saturday afternoons.
"A Friday game was something different," Miller said. "So I am going to incorporate a lot of the things we did at Northern York as far as making sure we get everything scheduled the way it needs to be."
Obviously, both coaches will face some challenges this year, although they are different ones.
At Eastern, it is rebuilding time. The Golden Knights finished 0-10 last season, and Shutter is realistic about going back to some basics for his very young team.
"I am focused more on preparation, fundamentals and not as much on scheme right now," he said. "Returning with the program down gives us the opportunity to try and judge ourselves with smaller steps."
Bill Miller's Eagles are coming off a 4-6 season, which is quite respectable considering the team was 0-4 against non-league foes New Oxford, Muhlenberg, Cedar Cliff and Manheim Central.
Dover returns several kids from that team, including the quarterback tandem of Ben Delp and Colt Zarilla. However, Bill Miller has to find a back to fill the shoes of powerful Mike Stough, who graduated in June.
The coach looks forward to back-to-back contests at non-league neighbor Bermudian Springs and Central York in the second and third weeks.
"With Central coming off a banner season, we see that as an opportunity," Bill Miller said. "(Our kids) are going to view it as a challenge, an incredible challenge, but they are not going to be in awe."
