Tim Storino learned plenty about playing football at Bethel Park High School. And, the 1999 graduate has already applied a wealth of that knowledge as he endeavors to launch a program at Vincentian Academy program.
This fall, the Royals will play their inaugural season of football and Storino is the school's first varsity gridiron boss.
"I'm excited to have this opportunity," said the 32-year-old son of Tim and Marita Storino. "I've always wanted to be a head coach."
Before this season, Storino had either been a player or an assistant coach. While he assisted at Shaler and Central Catholic, Storino studied most under Jeff Metheny.
During his playing days as well as his apprenticeship, the BP skipper mentored Storino, who is a physical education teacher at Shaler.
"I learned a lot from Jeff," he said. "No one works harder than that guy."
Storino noted how Metheny established a program and a commitment level at a school better known for its swimming and baseball programs.
"Jeff changed the whole culture. Bethel was all about swimming and baseball before he got here," Storino said.
Changing the culture and attitude is what Storino faces at Vincentian Academy, which not too long ago was a learning institution just for girls. Only his task is a bit more challenging says Metheny.
"I never experienced having to start a program," emphasized Metheny. "It is a great opportunity for Tim. We are excited for him. He's young, enthusiastic and he has a wealth of experience."
Storino's experience starts with his playing days as a quarterback.
Among his scholastic accomplishments was engineering a BP victory over arch rival Upper St. Clair in 1998. The triumph ended the Panthers' WPIAL record string of conference wins.
Storino moved on to Lock Haven University. There he was a routine 1,000-yard passer during his playing days before moving into the assistant coaching ranks.
As a new and first-year head coach, however, Storino has additional duties.
Currently, the Royals are doing all the "normal" things the other programs are performing this summer.
"Players are working out like everybody else," he said.
Four days a week, players attend conditioning drills. They lift in the weight room. They run. They work on skill development. They've competed in the 7-on-7 circuit and attended camps at California University of Pennsylvania for passing.
Storino is also continuing to drum up support for the program. Vincentian is highly regarded for its academics and students pay dearly, upwards of $10,600 a year, to attend the school, located in the North Hills.
"Vincentian faces the same thing we faced at Bethel Park with changing the culture. There is a reluctance to change. Vincentian didn't have a program let alone a winning one. We are dealing with a good academic school and it will take time."
One of the biggest challenges Storino says he faces is convincing students they can excel in the classroom as well as on the field. He cited the success of student-athletes such as Kevin Hart of Mt. Lebanon as an example. Hart attended Seton-La Salle. He excelled in football, basketball and baseball and earned a scholarship to the College of William and Mary.
"At Vincentian, you are dealing with the best of the best," said Storino. "The students are driven and competitive and you have no attitude.
"We have tremendous athletes here at Vincentian," Storino said. "I give them examples of students from North Catholic, Seton-La Salle and Bishop Canevin. I tell them they can still do well in academics and participate in sports."
Ultimately, Storino hopes to suit up 40 players on the Vincentian roster. Expectations are for a weight room and practice field on the campus, located in McCandless. Until then, however, players will pay to play and the team has scheduled all away contests for this fall. The Royals will travel to Avella, Mapletown, Geibel, Carmichaels, Bentworth, West Greene, Jefferson-Morgan, Frazier and Beth-Center.
Having busied himself with purchasing uniforms, scheduling busses and other duties associated with fielding a new squad, Storino anxiously awaits Aug. 31. On opening night, the Royals visit Avella.
"Honestly, that's the immediate goal. Waiting to get on the field. Take that first snap. Play that first game," he said. "Just to get to coach and play a game will be a relief."
Wins and losses are not Storino's primary objective this season. He'll settle for the small successes, particularly the ones that offer life lessons.
"Football is the most structured sport and it demands discipline," Storino said. "You have to get 11 guys all on the same page to accomplish something. In other sports, like basketball, you can have guys who are freelancers and you can win games. But one guy not doing his job in football? Well, you won't have success."
Success won't come quickly noted Storino. He's okay with that.
"People are always in too much of a hurry," he said. He added that he hasn't set a number for wins or losses this fall. "If we get one, we beat last year. We jump up and down, celebrate and enjoy but we get back to work tomorrow.
"Everything we do will all be firsts. So we need to enjoy the journey and the process."
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