Reaction to Aliquippa’s Removal of Mike Zmijanac
As you can imagine, the Aliquippa school boards decision to remove long-time football coach Mike Zmijanac has drawn a ton of reaction, most of which isn’t positive.
PSN will monitor Twitter today to give you the thoughts of people to this highly contraversial decision.
PSN will update this throughout the day as we see more reaction.
Zmijanac always gave canned answers, but he was always gracious to have us at practice. He was extremely proud of the program’s success. It was always about the players, not him. https://t.co/VCWbAZF8ax
— Scott Elliott (@MiddlenameScott) February 22, 2018
Seven people tonight — without any explanation — just killed a large part of what was left of Aliquippa’s soul.
— Colin Dunlap (@colin_dunlap) February 22, 2018
Apparently Mike Zmijanac wasn’t doing a good enough job 🤢🤢 #SchoolBoards are like high-waisted shorts …. they’re everywhere despite not being any good for anyone
— SamHall (@SamDHallJr) February 22, 2018
History will show that tonight marked the beginning of the end of Aliquippa’s football greatness. Mike Zmijanac was a tremendously successful coach who also kept athletics in perspective. He was one of the best coaches I’ve ever had the pleasure to deal with.
— Jim Equels (@JimEquels) February 22, 2018
What a travesty perpetrated by the Aliquippa School Board. They voted 6-3 to remove legendary coach Mike Zmijanac. Mike is friend but more importantly a mentor and an advocate for his players. His life lessons instill discipline and respect. Shame on you. Shameful act.
— Paul Alexander (@Palexander44) February 22, 2018
If Mike Zmijanac doesn’t have job security, no one does. https://t.co/m304MziJCv
— Kirk Diggler (@pghjoker) February 22, 2018
Mike Zmijanac has been around a long time. Many love him but 54 yrs in the district & 21 yrs as head FB coach is more than enuf time to add a few detractors. Plus, any HS coach can easily fall victim to the three Ps:
•politics
•parental interference
•personal agendas— Alby Oxenreiter (@albyox) February 22, 2018
Mike Zmijanac should of never been fired he’s the greatest high school football coach ever! Shame on Aliquippa!
— Luke Dzikiy (@CzechoItalian) February 22, 2018
How do you fire a coach like Mike Zmijanac…? I actually had the chance to play against and talk to him. Amazing guy and very intelligent coach! Hope quip’s school board woke up sick today realizing their poor decision….
— Kyle S Armagost (@s_armagost) February 22, 2018
@colin_dunlap and @JColony13 Nailed it on the Aliquippa situation! Born and raised. Still live here. Mike Zmijanac was my favorite teacher. Great coach. Can't blame him for everything wrong in the school and community. No accountability for parents, teachers etc. What a disgrace
— Mikki🐧 (@Pens1866) February 22, 2018
Legends like Mike Zmijanic get to go out on their own
— Justin Magnifico (@justinmagnifico) February 22, 2018
To coach Mike Zmijanac, you are a legend! You are a true warrior of kids who have nothing. You never made an excuse for anyone and always took your teams to the finish line. You are amazing! To all Quips, this man deserves it all! From a fan! Archie Miller🔴⚪️
— Arch Miller (@Archie_Miller) February 22, 2018
This is a surprise to everyone, because they haven’t been watching all that long. Aliquippa has always been run by nepotism and hidden agendas. There are more broken hearted teachers then coaches. It’s just that the coaching is in the spotlight, especially there. Is it a Black/White thing?,not really. The governance of the School has always been run by what ethnic group is in power.The current POWERHOUSE reputation comes from sports. Without a winner, the doors will close. And all these people who need a change, will be taking their children to another school. No more, WAVE RED AND BLACK,… Read more »
RESPONSE TO STEIGERWALD Aliquippa won because Aliquippa has talented young men, not because of Zmijanic. Steigerwald wrote his article as if he were writing for Trump. A bunch of half truths, ridiculous assertions and hypothetical questions mixed with a hint of bigoted BS .If the school didn’t teach the children and there is a scholastic requirement level to be eligible, then how did these children, whom, Steigerwald’s article/dossier determines could not read, get to play? Did Coach Z turn his head? YES! He did He pimped the children and when they were done he did NOTHING to help them get… Read more »
[…] reaction in much of WPIAL territory, where the population is more than 80 percent white, was furious. The school board was called “gutless,” “clueless” and worse on a local sports website. […]