Greensburg Salem brings back Paul Sapotichne as boys basketball coach

By: Paul Schofield
Wednesday, September 11, 2024 | 10:28 PM

When Paul Sapotichne left the Greensburg Salem boys basketball program after 29 years, he left one win shy of 400 at the school.

A banner hangs in the gymnasium displaying that number. Susie Larry, whose son Nolan played for Sapotichne and whose husband, Buck, coached with him, said she’ll be happy to sew new numbers on the banner.

Sapotichne was rehired by the district board Wednesday to replace Cam Auld, who was hired by Norwin.

Sapotichne, a native of Springdale, coached three years at Wilmington in Lawrence County before taking over at Greensburg Salem, where he went 399-306.

He left Greensburg Salem after the 2012 season after leading the team to a 16-7 record.

He coached at Riverview for six seasons before retiring in 2021.

Sapotichne, 71, is excited to return to coach the Golden Lions.

“I know they have struggled the past few seasons, but I’m eager to get started,” Sapotichne said. “I’m going to comb the halls looking for athletes. I was told that the players returning play hard.”

One player he won’t be coaching is sophomore A.J. Tarpley, who transferred to Greensburg Central Catholic. The Golden Lions will play in Section 3-4A with Belle Vernon, Derry, Elizabeth Forward, East Allegheny, West Mifflin and Yough.

“I have so many great memories at Greensburg Salem,” Sapotichne said. “It was a lot of fun when the 2009 team was honored (in 2021).”

The 2009 team was one of Sapotichne’s shining moments as a coach. That team, led by Chris Klimchock, Jake Matthews, Bobby Davis, Jerry Cooley and Gus Marino, played in the state championship game. The team upset Chartiers Valley, Farrell and Hampton in the state playoffs.

Sapotichne has 464 career wins between Greensburg Salem, Riverview and Wilmington.

He left Riverview because of a health scare.

He interviewed at Riverview and a couple of other schools since early summer, but things didn’t work out. Then the Greensburg Salem job came open, and he was excited to come back.

“I feel good now,” Sapotichne said. “I’m cancer free, and I have a new knee. It’s the best I’ve felt in years.”

Greensburg Salem athletic director Drake D’Angelo said Sapotichne’s experience and his excellent career made him the easy choice.

“We’re excited to see what he brings back,” D’Angelo said. “He and I are meeting Thursday, and he’s excited to get started.”

Said Sapotichne: “Even though I’m not a native of Greensburg, I lived there for 40 years. I still have a lot of friends there.

“I can’t wait to get the players in the gym for workouts. I need to get started rebuilding and getting the elementary program started.”

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Greensburg Salem