Jack Garrity
Jack Garrity (1990-1993)
29-14 (.674 winning %)
2 time conference champions (1991, 1992)
To write a biography about a man that has meant so much to me as a person is both enjoyable and nerve wracking, but as a former Jaguar; I have probably had the pleasure of being coached, praised, joked, and yelled at by Coach Garrity more than any one player for the longest period of time. I just hope I can do him justice in a few short paragraphs.
Jack Garrity was hired by the school district in 1990 after 19 seasons as an assistant at Steel Valley High School to replace head coach Bill Englert, and restore the Jaguar Tradition that had not seen a winning season since 1981.
Moving over from Steel Valley High School where he was an assistant under highly successful head coach George Novak. He was promised a teaching position upon taking the Jaguar position, as he believed the head coach should be a teacher at the school he coached at. He was never hired as a teacher, and this would ultimately end his time as head coach.
Coach Garrity was a player's coach, and had a directive but caring message valuing every member of the team as if he was his own son. He believed in order to be successful, the team had to have fun and be a machine, a "Jaguar Machine". He "never let the poison of individuality enter into the system." Coach Garrity's coaching style could be best summed up by his refusal to punt. Much to the chagrin of his assistants at times. His philosophy that punting is giving up, and Jack Garrity never gives up.
In Jack Garrity's first year at Thomas Jefferson it was clear that he had the player's attention by his energetic tone, and reached out to the players through a "new sheriff in town" meeting at the high school. He even carried these meeting over to the up and coming 8th graders at the Middle School. This is where I was first introduced to him, and little did I know what an influence he would have on my life to follow. He emphasized the importance of having fun, the off season conditioning, team, and dedication.
Coach Garrity then proceeded to put together a staff, and sought to mix the best of Steel Valley with the best of TJ. He brought in Pleasant Hills resident and long time Steel Valley assistant Frank Brettschneider who knew the school and many of the players through his time as a volunteer in local sports programs with his son. He then enlisted his brother, Andy Garrity, who was a fine quarterback in his time as well. Another objective was returning the staff to the "Manzini Coaching Tree". He hired former head coach George Wilson as Defensive Coordinator, John Yogan, and Keith Pancoast. This trio would continue as assistants at Thomas Jefferson for twenty years. Jack Garrity would also hire a young former player, Bill Cherpak, who would one day be the all-time winningest coach in TJ's history.
Coach Garrity's time at TJ was brief, due to previously mentioned circumstances, but what he was able to accomplish in four short years is nothing short of amazing. In his second year he led the Jaguars to their first 10-0 team in school history and first conference championship in 10 years. This turn around excited a whole community, and returned pride to the halls of the school, and the local mall. He followed that up in the following season with a trip to the semi-finals, where as huge underdogs, his Jaguars nearly upset Blackhawk after an unbelievable, never give up effort to come back after being down 21-0 at the half, and 28-7 in fourth quarter. His final season they came up one win short of a playoff bid, losing to the eventual WPIAL AAA champion McGuffey in week 9.
I am sure I can speak for many of his former players, that having the pleasure of Coach Garrity in my life for those brief four years has made me a better person, and other than my/our parents, is the one person that had the most influence on the persons we became today.
Assistant Coaches:
Andy Garrity- Quarterbacks/ OLB's
John Yogan-Running Backs and Defensive Backs
Frank Brettschneider- Offensive Coordinator-Lines
George Wilson- Defensive Coordinator-LB's/WR's
Bill Cherpak- Special Teams- O Line/ D line
Joe Esper- TE's/OLB's
Keith Pancoast
Rock Eckley
Tina Thompson- Trainer
TJ Srsic- Student Manager
Year by Year Record:
1990: 2-8
1991: 10-1
1992: 10-2
1993: 7-3
Player Comments:
A small excerpt from a story that was told to me by now head coach Cherpak a few years after I graduated. Coach Garrity was yelling at the top of his lungs to get me to change a play call while we were in the huddle and then running to the line. Continually yelling and yelling at the top his lungs. Once the team got to the line, he turned to his brother and quarterback coach at the time and said in an exasperated tone, "Ahh hell, he can't hear me anyways..." Brett Stoffel scored on that play, and I am hearing impaired.
Brandon Adams (1991-1993)
Although I didn't play a down in my 4 years with the Thomas Jefferson program (2003-2006) due to not being able to pass a sports physical I became the team manager or under the position of "Director of Football Operations" given to me by Skeeter Grant. Although being a part of the program in a non-player form I did still have to participate in all the summer conditioning as well as helping out in practices and of course the conditioning and running that followed. When I joined the program as a sophomore in 2003 I came in as the really short kid that was bullied a lot and wanted to be apart of something bigger than life itself and hopefully make some great friends along the way. I didn't know at the time the impact that it would have on my life and lessons that I learned that still continue to stay with me to this day. Everyone associated with the program welcomed me with open arms but it was Coach Garrity that made the biggest impact. We grew closer as the years flew by and the on going joke that coach G was actually my dad because we were close in height. Although, when we would measure he'd always be taller and therefore he could still "kick my ass." During my senior year in high school we began reading the novel "Tuesday's With Morrie" the true story of author, Mitch Albom, and his personal accounts with his sociology professor Morrie Schwartz. Coach Garrity became my "Morrie" as on every afternoon from summer and into the winter we'd spend our time together on the football field. During those afternoons he taught me about the game inside and out as well as what it takes to be a leader, a friend, and a better person. We would throw the ball and just play catch before practice and it became a regular thing that I looked forward to each and every day. After each game, since we considered the opposing team the enemy we would refuse to shake their hands. When I asked him why, he told me that shaking their hands after getting beat meant you accepted defeat and he will never accept defeat. Since we didn't lose a lot, he said that shaking their hands meant that they had given up and he doesn't agree with that either. If you knew Coach you'd understand that his ego was larger than life. The biggest impact that he had on me came on the day I never wanted to come. On the final game of my high school career after we had just lost to Franklin Regional at Heinz Field I realized that it was over. There wouldn't be practices on Monday, there wouldn't be summer aerobics, there wouldn't be pre game speeches, and there wouldn't be Coach G. To say I was heartbroken was a complete understatement. After the long bus ride back to the high school and while all the seniors were teary eyed as Coach Cherpak spoke to us it was clear that the fabulous ride known as Jaguar football had come to a conclusion. After we had our final "break" I spent some time on that football field. Standing in he middle of the field and reminiscing all the time I had spent there. Remembering the great times and even the poor ones. Coach G came out and spent some time with me. He said something that speaks volumes to a high school senior but it wasn't about football, it was about life. He told me that this wasn't an end for me and it's only a beginning. Words that at the time didn't help the situation, but as the years go by I'm reminded of that quote at every turn you make in life. As my high school career was closing and I had my college plans set, Coach G had some major health issues. He spent some time in and out of the hospital the past few years and this time a doctor had made a mistake that could have costed Coach's life. But as Coach is he wasn't about to give up. He made it through just fine and with a smile on his face. Once he was feeling better and came home I began to go see him. When I left for college I would still come home and we'd have our talks and watch old game film and remember the days of TJ Football. When the next season was approaching Coach G wasn't ready to return to the gridiron. I felt that everything he had taught me I had owed it to him to return for one last hurrah and take his spot to keep it warm for him. I couldn't make it to practices every day but I did make it to every game that year. When the Senior's lost in the State Semi-Finals, there were a lot tears shed. As I spoke to some of them I thought I'd pass on the infamous quote that had once been imposed on me by my hero. As we have talked on and off the past 5 years I still haven't been able to see him due to the fact he lives in Florida now. I will always remember Coach as a larger than life person, who taught me to never accept defeat and never let anyone be in the way of your dreams or goals. As he said it best, if someone says they're better than you, leave the first string in the entire game and after you score 70 ask them how they feel about it now.
Thank you for honoring a true TJ Legend,
Ryan "Cisco" Franciscus (2003-2006)
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