The subject – and the timing — of this latest column may seem a bit out of the ordinary to some of our readers. If such is the case, I sincerely apologize to all. However, as far as I’m concerned, I like the timing as it serves as a reminder of a past accolade, giving credit where credit is due. I feel I’m bringing the recipient to the forefront, allowing him to shine in an article dedicated solely to the accomplishment.
Now that the NFL draft has concluded its stint in Green Bay, a vast majority of people are already looking ahead to the upcoming football season. How will my high school, college or pro team perform this season? It’s never too early to ponder this question, nor is there ever a set time to discuss any sport at any level. Why not? Let’s face it: professional baseball isn’t exactly piquing our interest at this early point of the season.
In 2021 the Pittsburgh Steelers officially started honoring a High School Coach of the Week, and they’ve been selecting one for that honor each week during the season ever since. This coach is selected by the Steelers as someone who had a big victory, a turnaround season, does extraordinary work in their community, and/or gives great effort to make a lasting positive impact on his student athletes.
The Coach of the Week winners are invited to be honored at a Steelers home game and receive a framed certificate signed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, a Steelers Coach of the Week cap and a $1,000 donation to their football program.
A Coach of the Year is selected following the high school football season and receives a $2,000 donation to their program.
Steelers Coach of the Week No. 9 last season was Carlynton coach John Tortorea, who is no stranger to high school football. This was the second Coach of the Week honors bestowed on Tortorea and his first at Carlynton. He is certainly no stranger to Cougar fans, having served as a coach from 2007-2009 before moving on to Quaker Valley.
Photo by Mike Longo Jr.
Last year Tortorea’s Cougars nailed a crucial win over the Charleroi Cougars, a win that secured fourth place in the Century Conference standings. Carlynton earned the No. 12 seed and its first playoff berth in 23 years (2001).
Replacing former head man Rich Piccinini in 2023 was no easy task as Tortorea inherited a team that went 0-10 overall and 0-7 in conference play.
You have to start somewhere and 2023 began the rebuilding process, which showed signs of improvement as the Cougars finished 2-8 overall and 1-6 in the conference.
The 2024 season sparked renewed interest as a senior-laden team took to the turf with the end result a 6-5 overall record, 3-2 in conference action and that first playoff appearance in 23 years. This turnaround is not only due to the head coach, but his entire staff, as it has often been said, “You’re only as good as the people around you.” A head coach at any level devotes as much time and energy to selecting his staff as he does with the team’s weekly game plan.
As previously mentioned, Tortorea has been roaming the sidelines for years, beginning his high school career as the defensive coordinator at Cornell in 2003 lasting until 2006. Next up was a move to Carlynton for his first stint from 2007-2009 then on to Quaker Valley from 2011 to 2016. His last stop before returning to Carlynton for his second go-around was a 2019-2022 stint at Shaler, where he served as the offensive coordinator.
It has been said that “Winning is contagious,” and if that’s the case, one would assume things are certainly looking up for the Cougars football program approaching the 2025 season. They had a taste of success in 2024 and seem willing and able to expand on last season’s winning record.
Players seem to respond to challenges both on and off the field. As a coach you have a product, sell the product and make your players believe in said product. That product is that particular year’s team.
Tortorea instills in his team an up-tempo offense along with an attacking defense. Both proved true to form last season. It appears that last year’s team was sold on the product the coach was selling.
Describing his basic coaching philosophy, Tortorea stated in a past quote, “I ask my players to care, compete and challenge.” A simple approach: short, sweet and to the point.
Football weightlifting and conditioning are well underway with on-field summer drills soon to follow prior to entering full-blown training camp. Head coaches eat, sleep and breathe football year-round — don’t let any of them tell you anything different. They do!
For Tortorea, the basis of this column was to commend you on your efforts and achievements last season, honoring you with an article devoted solely to you and not just a blurb that would get lost in a larger article.
The future is now and now that Carlynton had a taste of the postseason in 2024, one would assume the attitude heading into the 2025 campaign would echo Coach Tortorea’s philosophy of care, compete, and challenge.
Best of luck in the upcoming season, coach. Perhaps another Steelers Coach of the Week honor, along with possibly a Coach of the Year award, is on the horizon.
Photos by Mike Longo Jr.
Leave a Reply