Saharsky relishes role at G.B. West
GREEN BAY – John Saharsky loves being the head football coach at Green Bay West.
He wants to make sure his players know that every single day.
“You guys are the best varsity football team I’ve ever been the head coach of,” Saharsky shouted during a practice on Aug. 4.
The statement prompted an inquisitive response from one of his players: “But coach, we’re the only varsity team you’ve ever been the head coach of.”
The first-year head coach knows he has a lot to learn in taking on the role at West, but he’s taking everything in stride – literally.
The 38-year-old coach is constantly on the move at practice as he begins to lay the foundation for what he wants the program to become.
“We try to have fun every day where we’re all running around and moving,” Saharsky said.
Tabbing a big kid at heart like Saharsky as its football coach was the right move for West, which has gone 1-26 in three seasons in the Bay Conference and hasn’t been to the WIAA playoffs since 1996.
“I do believe strongly that John Saharsky is the right guy for that job and can do a really good job for that program,” said De Pere head coach Chad Michalkiewicz, who had Saharsky on his coaching staff last year.
“It has always been his goal to be a head coach. There are challenges at Green Bay West, but I think he’s the right fit for that program. He’s a very patient coach. He’s got the right personality and temperament for it.”
A personality.
That’s one way to describe Saharsky, who Michalkiewicz originally met at his cousin’s wedding. Saharsky was officiating the wedding.
The 1998 Green Bay Notre Dame graduate didn’t exactly take a traditional path into coaching or teaching.
After all, Marquette University isn’t a football power. Saharsky said the club team he played on was OK at best.
After getting a degree in accounting, Saharsky spent the better part of a decade working in research statistics. He satisfied his passion for football by playing semi-pro ball.
It wasn’t until 2011 when Saharsky moved back to Green Bay with his wife that he got into coaching and teaching.
“What I really enjoyed about research was the teaching aspect because I got to teach research statistics,” Saharsky said about making a career switch.
In addition to becoming the school’s football coach, Saharsky will join the faculty at Green Bay West after previously being a special education teacher in the Pulaski School District. He’s been hired as a behavioral specialist at West.
“I’m in the building,” Saharsky said. “I get to see (players) and that’s how we’ll really start to grow our numbers.
“I don’t think that the talent gap is what people think it is at West. People think that there is this huge talent gap. But if I went 11-for-11, the talent is there. I have to finish the second half of it.”
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Saharsky asked his players to hit the reset button this year.
In an effort to build culture and trust, Saharsky simplified the schedule to have consistent times for weightlifting and practice. He understands that players have other commitments, but hopes that consistency will give them a time to strictly focus on football as a unit.
“They have absolutely latched onto it and love it,” Saharsky said.
“I think that’s how you build culture. We as coaches can’t put you on the football field unless we trust you. Now, players are saying if you don’t make it here for us we’re not going to trust you.”
Saharsky’s coaching staff includes Tim Thorpe, a Green Bay West alum, and Jim Allen, who was a longtime assistant at Ashwaubenon and is a member of the WFCA Hall of Fame.
Allen gave Saharsky the idea to host a picnic for family and community members after practice last Saturday.
Saharsky said he’s got nothing to hide on the practice field when it comes to X’s and O’s. The key to his team’s success will come down to building trust and relationships.
“There’s no secret to high school football,” Saharsky said.
“We’re going to figure it out by how much we play for each other and how much we care about each other.”
Green Bay West at a glance
Coach: John Saharsky, 1st season
Last year: 0-9
All-conference players to replace:
Brandon Dudley, RB/ILB, 2nd team
Antonio Cuellar-Trejo, OL, 2nd team
Kade Olson, DB, 2nd team
Peyton Konkel, P, 2nd team
Ty Thorpe, DE, HM
Tyler Offield, OLB, HM
All conference players returning:
Jason Wright, DL, 2nd team
2018 Schedule
Aug. 17 Appleton Xavier
Aug. 24 Seymour
Aug. 31 at West De Pere
Sept. 7 Waupaca
Sept. 14 at Green Bay East
Sept. 21 at Menasha
Sept. 28 at New London
Oct. 5 Shawano
Oct. 12 Clintonville
Alums playing college football:
Antonio Cuellar-Trejo, Mesabi Range College (Minn.)
Brandon Dudley, St. Norbert College
Kevin Franklin, Central Lakes College (Minn.)
Anthony King, Central Lakes College (Minn.)
Tyler Offield, Clarke University (Iowa)
Ty Thorpe, Finlandia University (Mich.)