The Sports ReportsWhen you do something that's never been done before, like coaching an NTL football team to a PIAA title, people are going to take notice. The Sports Reports' did and have named Troy's Jim Smith as The Sports Reports' 2024 All-Region "Coach of the Fall."
Smith and his staff have been building toward this season, posting a 12-1 record in 2023, before reaching the pinnacle this season with a 16-0 mark and the first state title in school history.
After years of being blocked by Southern Columbia, the Trojans got over that hump in a big-time way in a 69-28 thrashing of the seven-time defending state champion.
The Trojans continued their run all the way to the state title. Of their 16 wins this season, 13 came via the "mercy rule."
This fall's Baker's Dozen of fall coaches is volleyball heavy with five coaches making the list ... the remainder being a nice mix of the fall sports.
The 2024 All-Region Baker's Dozen "Coaches of the Fall"
Jim Smith, Troy football: See above.
Pam Quinlan, Candor volleyball: Quinlan coached her Coyotes to a 16-1 record this season. She won another IAC Small School title, her 13th Section IV title, and fourth New York State Class D title.
Tara Hogan, Waverly girl soccer: Hogan coached the Wolverines to their first-ever Section IV title this season, besting Chenango Forks, which beat three consecutive Hogan team's early in her career, 2-0 in the Class B finals.
Alessio De Michele, Owego boys soccer: DeMichele has turned the River Hawks into one of the best programs in Section IV, winning the last four Section IV, Class B titles. This year, Owego won its first 19 games before falling in the state quarterfinals.
Darci Pollack, Wellsboro volleyball: Pollack, a member of the last Lady Hornets’ squad to win a D4 championship, led Wellsboro to a 16-4 regular season record, including a 12-2 mark in the NTL and the District IV 2A title.
Des Ford, Tioga volleyball: Ford directed the Tigers to their second Section IV, Class C title in three years, and into the state semifinals. It was the 10th title of her career, and the fourth time she's coached a team to the state final four.
Abby Manning, Owego volleyball: Manning directed the River Hawks to an unbeaten regular season, a STAC title, and a Section IV, Class A title.
Kevin Hillman, Horseheads football: Hillman led the Blue Raiders to their first sectional title since 1998. Beat Corning and Elmira both in the same season for just the second time in program history.
Megan Janeski, Horseheads swimming: Janeski guided the Blue Raiders to a fourth straight unbeaten regular season and a Section IV title.
Jimmy McCauley, Elmira, football: McCauley led Elmira to a second straight Section IV title. The Express beat Corning in the sectional final, after falling to the Hawks in the regular season in both seasons.
Abby Herman, Troy volleyball: After a couple seasons of building Troy got to the top of the NTL, Division-I standings, going undefeated in divisional action, while reaching the District IV, Class AA final.
Mike Maurer, Towanda girls cross country: The Towanda girls went undefeated in the NTL dual meet season, won the NTL Coaches’ Invitational, and took third at the always tough District IV, Class AA championships.
Lenny Pientka, Athens golf: Pientka guided the Wildcats to their fourth straight NTL golf title, and the first District 4 title in program history. Athens currently has won 22 consecutive NTL matches.
