New West Greene coach Beau Jackson spreading youthful enthusiasm

By: Mark Nitowski
Tuesday, August 22, 2023 | 10:46 PM

Purchase Photo Options

Beau Jackson is taking a rather philosophical approach to being the new West Greene football coach at the tender age of 26.

“I think I’d be a little nervous, regardless of the age,” said Jackson, with a chuckle.

Jackson replaces Brian Hanson, who left to become South Allegheny’s head coach. While new to varsity head coaching, Jackson is not new to the West Greene program, serving as the defensive coordinator under Hanson for the past two seasons.

“I actually started coaching while in college, helping out with the offensive and defensive lines,” said Jackson, who played at Waynesburg University. “When Brian Hanson arrived in 2019, I helped with the varsity team on Friday nights, but I also was the junior high coach.”

The seventh and eighth graders on that team are now juniors and seniors on the varsity squad, Jackson pointed out.

“I have a pretty good relationship with these guys,” he said. “To me, it’s made becoming head coach a lot easier. I’m not meeting new faces and motivating them to come out for the team. They know who I am. The relationship is already there.”

Jackson also has surrounded himself with a veteran coaching staff. Brian Jackson, who’s Beau’s father, will be defensive coordinator and John Coss will serve as offensive coordinator. The coaching staff also includes John Lampe, Doug Victor, Gary Whyte and Trevin Bedilion.

“I have two former head coaches running the offense and defense,” he said. “A lot of the guys on the staff have played college ball. I hope they provide the guidance to make us the best we can be.”

After dominating the conference in recent years, the Pioneers slumped to 2-5 in league play and 2-8 overall last season.

“We started a lot juniors and sophomores last year,” Jackson said. “We’re getting the underclassmen back and they’ve been through the system and know the terminology. We can build off some the stuff we’ve done.”

Senior running back Colin Brady figures to be the cornerstone of the 2023 Pioneers. He averaged 237 yards per game last season, finishing with 1,897 yards on 158 carries with 25 touchdowns.

Complementing Brady in the backfield will be senior fullback Johnny Lampe. He rushed for 508 yards on 113 carries as a junior.

Junior Lane Allison returns at quarterback. He’ll rely on a deep receiving corps featuring Cooper Chambers, Bill Whitlach, Seth Burns, Parker Burns and Patrick Durbin.

“We’ve always been a run-heavy team, based on our strengths and the conference we’re in,” Jackson said. “The goal is to be more balanced with the passing game. We have some guys who can catch the ball. We’re confident in Lane’s play at quarterback.”

All-conference selections Colin Whyte and Brian Jackson are back on the offensive line. They will be joined by Levi Smith and Kameron Tedrow.

Jackson singled out Smith for his work during the offseason.

“He looks like a completely different player, stronger and a step quicker,” he said. “The same goes for Brian and Colin. We’re excited to see how they perform.”

According to Jackson, some Division I colleges have been looking at Brady as an edge rusher on defense. Other top defenders should be Lampe at inside linebacker, Whyte in the interior line and Whitlach at safety. Lampe led last season’s team with 123 tackles.

“We really struggled on defense last year,” Jackson said. “We aren’t looking to change philosophy, just hone in on teaching the principles that will help us win. If you can’t tackle or get off blocks, you can’t play defense.”

Jackson tabbed Monessen as the favorite to capture the Trii-County South crown.

“They are loaded with athletes,” he said. “California is going to be there too. Beth-Center has a couple of nice runners. They’re tough as nails, with a bunch of wrestling-type kids.”

Editor’s note: Due to production scheduling conflicts, previews for Tri County South teams Bentworth and California will appear later this week.

West Greene

Coach: Beau Jackson

2022 record: 2-8, 2-5 in Class A Tri-County South Conference

All-time record: 214-416-10

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.25 at Cameron (W. Va.) 7

9.1 at Chartiers-Houston, 7

9.8 Greensburg Central Catholic, 7

9.15 Carmichaels*, 7

9.22 at Bentworth*, 7

9.29 Monessen*, 7

10.6 at California*, 7

10.13 at Beth-Center*, 7

10.20 Jefferson-Morgan*, 7

10.27 at Mapletown*, 7

*Conference game

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: Lane Allison

35- 80, 580 yards, 6 TDs

Rushing: Colin Brady

158-1,897 yards, 25 TDs

Receiving: Johnny Lampe

13-193 yards, 1 TD

FAST FACTS

• Heading into his senior season, Colin Brady has 4,164 rushing yards, giving him a chance to eclipse the 6,000-mark for his career.

• The Pioneers return four players (Johnny Lampe, Seth Burns, Parker Burns and Brady) who had more than 100 receiving yards in 2022.

• In addition to being the head coach’s father and the defensive coordinator, Brian Jackson is West Greene superintendent.

• The West Greene School District is located at the southwest corner of Pennsylvania, bordering West Virginia to the west and south.

Tags: West Greene