Aliquippa HS Removes Boys Basketball Coach Nick Lackovich

Despite having tremendous success, the Aliquippa School Board has made the decision to replace high school boys’ basketball coach Nick Lackovich.

The Aliquippa School Board met yesterday and made the decision, while Lackovich was holding an open gym session.

In two stints as head coach at Aliquippa, Lackovich had a record of 185-41 in eight seasons, won 4 WPIAL championships and 2 PIAA championships, most recently winning both in 2024.

This isn’t the first time that the Aliquippa School District has removed a successful head coach. Back in 2018, the school board did the same with Hall of Fame football coach Mike Zmijanac, who coached the program for 21 years and had tremendous success.

In an interview with the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, Lackovich had this to say about his removal.

“They couldn’t have been more than 50 feet from me. I had the gym open for the kids. No one even told me. I got the call from the superintendent after the board meeting. No reason given.”

“I’d like to know what more they could want. The old saying is coaches are hired to be fired, I just wish they had a legitimate reason. On Saturday, I picked up three awards from the Beaver County Hall of Fame banquet, a few days later, you’re out.”

Under Lackovich, Aliquippa won 4 WPIAL championships (2015, 2016, 2023, 2024) and are returning 4 starters from last year’s team, including Class 3A player of the Year Josh Pratt.