Joe Eisaman leaving after 5 seasons as Greensburg Central Catholic girls coach

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, April 11, 2018 | 3:42 PM

Joe Eisaman is leaving Greensburg Central Catholic after five seasons as girls basketball coach.

Eisaman resigned Wednesday morning, citing he wanted to “pursue other opportunities.”

He said a changing landscape in high school basketball, not just what he sees at GCC and not one that involves all schools per se, played a part in his decision.

“This is not the culture I want to be coaching in anymore,” he said. “Parents have become an issue more than anything. Don't get me wrong: There are a lot of good ones too. But I'm an earn-it guy, a merit guy. I don't want to be told who to play.”

Eisaman said he had no indication GCC had plans to replace him and made the decision of his own volition.

“They brought up low numbers, but we have eight freshmen coming up next year,” he said. “I'm not sure what they want. Things are changing. I don't think my players are going to be real happy, but it's something I need to do.”

Eisaman's daughter, Anna, will return as a senior at GCC next season. His son, Dom, was a football and basketball player at GCC.

“GCC has been great to my kids,” Joe Eisaman said. “My daughter will be successful no matter who coaches her.”

GCC went 90-40 under Eisaman and never missed the WPIAL and PIAA playoffs. The Centurions won four section titles and reached the WPIAL Class AA championship game in 2015-16.

The Centurions finished 12-12 this past season and lost in the WPIAL 2A quarterfinals after a first-round bye. They also lost in the first round of the PIAA playoffs.

Eisaman's other seasons saw him post records of 20-6, 21-5, 18-11, and 19-6.

“I coached some great kids. It was never about them,” Eisaman said. “I am going to miss coaching them. It just ran its course. I don't want some cloud hanging over me as I'm trying to coach.”

Eisaman said he plans to look at other openings, boys and girls, and wants to land somewhere.

“I want to stay in it,” he said. “We'll see what's out there.”

MP job open

Mt. Pleasant opened its boys basketball coaching position. Don Porter coached the Vikings the past four years, compiling a record of 23-66 with one WPIAL playoff appearance.

Mt. Pleasant finished 3-19 last season.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.

Tags: Greensburg C.C., Mt. Pleasant