COACHES
Tom McCarroll-
2023 will be the 12th season for Coach McCarroll and his staff. The 2023 Indians had a great off-season and the Tribe returns many players who gained a lot of experience from last season. Lehighton's tradition of winning should return. The 12-1 2017 season marked the most wins by a Lehighton Football team in a season, along with breaking multiple records throughout the season. The Indians were Schuylkill League Champs and had another District XI championship game appearance. Following the 2017 season, he was selected as the Head Coach for the Lehigh Valley McDonald's All-Star Game. In 2015, Coach McCarroll led Lehighton to an 11-1 record, Anthracite League title and District XI championship game appearance. His staff coached the North/South Schuylkill All-Star game in 2015.
Tom is a 1995 graduate of Marian Catholic, where he played 4 years of football for the Colts, and is member of their Hall of Fame. During his senior year, he earned 1st Team Times News at Defensive Back, and was the team's Scholar Athlete. He is also a 2000 graduate of Colgate University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy. At Colgate, Tom played for 4 years for the Red Raiders and earned 1st Team Patriot League, 1st Team ECAC and 2nd Team I-AA All-America honors as a defensive back.
Coach McCarroll has worked with Marian Catholic from 2001-2004, serving as the receivers coach. He has worked with Whitehall High School from 2007-2008, serving as the running backs and outside linebackers coach. Prior to coming to Lehighton, he worked with Catasauqua High School from 2009-2011, serving as the running backs coach. Tom also served as the head coach for Schuylkill County Coal Crackers, a semi-pro team, from 2008-2010.
Coach McCarroll has his teaching certifications in Special Education and Social Studies, along with a Master's in Curriculum & Instruction from Kutztown University. He is currently employed as a Special Education Teacher in the Northwestern Lehigh School District. He and his wife, Jessica, reside in East Penn Township with their son, Aiden and daughters, Mya & Andi.
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Mike Lusch-
Coach Lusch returned to the Lehighton sidelines in 2015 and worked as a Defensive Assistant with the JV and Varisty programs. He was a vital part in influencing the top defense in the Times News area. Lusch will continue as the Defensive Coordinator for the 2023 season and count on some key returners to solidify the defense. For the 4 previous seasons he led the running backs. In 2017, the running backs put up amazing numbers, led by All-State RB TaQuan Bradley-Chambers. Under Coach Lusch, TBC rushed for a 373 yds against Tamaqua, which was a single game record. He also had 2255 yds on the season, which was the 2nd most in school history.
Coach Lusch is a 1992 graduate of Lehighton and played TE and DE for the Indians. During his senior year, he was named All-League on both offense and defense. He was also the team's Scholar-Athlete. Mike went on to play for Denny Dowds at East Stroudsburg University for 4 years, where he started all 4 years at LB. He graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Health and Physical Education, along with a Master's in Sports Management. Prior to returning to Lehighton, Mike had coaching stints at Panther Valley, Palmerton and Northern Lehigh. Coach Lusch works as a Physical Education teacher within the Lehighton School District. He resides in the Lehighton area with his wife, Kim, son, Noah and daughter, Madison.
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Tyler Cann-
Coach Cann will be entering his 4th season as a high school coach in 2023. In his first year, he was in charge of grooming an inexperienced group of running backs for the Tribe, and helped JJ McDowell finish the season as one of the better RB in the area. However, in 2021, he took over the defensive backs where he had great success as a player both at the HS and college level. Under his direction, Ethan Buchert earned All-League honors as a defensive back. Tyler is a 2020 graduate of Geneva College where he had a stellar career as a linebacker and defensive back for the Golden Tornadoes. Following his junior and senior years, he was selected as an All-American and All-Conference player. He was also one of the best players to wear the Maroon and White as a 2016 graduate of Lehighton. Cann is currently the all time leader in career passing yards (3993 yds), completions (281), attempts (462), 2nd in career passing TDs (36), 3rd in completions in a season (114) and 3rd in passing yds in a season (1643 yds). During his senior season, he led his team to an undefeated regular season and a District XI championship appearance, along with receiving numerous post-season awards.
Coach Cann graduated from Geneva College with a Special Education degree and serves as a special education teacher at the Lehighton Elementary Center. He also assists with the wrestling program. Tyler resides in the Lehighton area with his wife, Riley.
Cory Hartsell-
Coach Hartsell is going into 2023 as his 6th season as a Varisty Assistant Coach with our staff. He will coach the defensive line again this season. In 2021, Gauge Hartney earned All-League honors under Hartsell's direction. Hartsell is a 1996 graduate of Lehighton, where he played offensive and defensive line for the Tribe. This is Coach Hartsell's 2nd stint with his alma mater, as he coached here from 2001-2011 as a Varsity Assistant. He then spent 2012-2016 at Northern Lehigh as a Varsity Assistant. Cory has a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education, Social Studies and a Master's Degree in Education from Wilkes University. He is currently a Social Studies teacher at Lehighton High School. He resides in Lehighton with his wife, Danielle, daughter, Tatum and son, Cooper.
Chuck Sterling-
Coach Sterling is heading into his 10th season as a coach at his alma mater with this staff. For 2023, Chuck will continue working with a talented group of receivers that offer a great deal of potential. The graduation of All-League receiver, Ian Rarick will be difficult to fill, as he finished in the top 10 in multiple career receiving categories. Coach Sterling also is credited with guiding Lehighton's career leader in receptions and receiving yards, Zach Hunsicker. Before this season, he has served in various positions on our staff, ranging from middle school offensive coordinator to volunteer assistant. Sterling also spent the 2017 season as an assistant with East Stroudsburg University. He was a 2008 graduate of Lehighton High School as played receiver and defensive back during his time as a player. Chuck resides in Lehighton.
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Kyle Spotts-
Coach Spotts will continue to guide the quarterback group for the Indians in 2023. He brings a great deal of knowledge and experience to the table for our QBs. He has guided the QBs to successfully throwing for over 1000 yds since he has been with the program. Last year, he helped lead jumior QB, Brady O'Donnell to throw for over 1000 yds in his 2nd year as a starter. Kyle is a graduate of Kutztown University, where he had a great playing career from 2005-07, throwing for 6065 career yds and 51 TDs as a starter for the Golden Bears. He also played a season for the New York Dragons of the Arena Football League.
Coach Spotts is a graduate of Tamaqua, where he was a standout football and baseball player. He is a member of the Tamaqua Athletic Hall of Fame. He resides in the Lehighton Area with his wife and 2 children.
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Simon Tkach-
Coach Simon returns to the staff after taking a brief hiatus. After serving as a middle school coach, and defensive assistant, he will work with our offensive line for the 2023 season. Coach Tkach is a Lehighton grad and played for the Tribe from 20__-____. He went on to play at Wilkes University and graduated with a degree in Secondary Education. Simon currently works as a Social Studies teacher at Lehighton HS and resides in Lehighton with his wife Kelcie and their 2 children.
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Matt Kosciolek-
Coach Kosciolek is returning to the Lehighton sidelines after a few years away. He was a member of the coaching staff from 2012-2017. He left to become the Head Coach at Pleasant Valley HS for 2018. He also worked with Allentown Central Catholic for the past few seasons on the defensive side of the ball. Matt will coach the running backs this season.
Coach Kosciolek is a 2002 graduate of Marian Catholic, where he played RB and DB. He went on to study and play at Shippensburg University. Matt currently works as a Social Studies teacher in the Palmerton School District.
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Justin Smith-
Coach Smith will be in his 4th season with the Lehighton staff in 2023. He will move to the head coach of the middle school program. Smith is a 1992 graduate of Lehighton High School and he was a lineman during his playing days with the program. He currently works for the Lehighton School District and is also an EMT and active fire fighter locally. Justin resides in Lehighton with his wife and daughter.
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Randan Solt-
Coach Solt will be in his second season with the program. He will be a volunteer assistant with the middle school team and will call the offense for the 7th and 8th graders, along with coaching the D-Line. He is a graduate of Palmerton High School and he is currently a student at LCCC.
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Kris Rodgers-
Coach Rodgers will go into his 2nd season with the Lehighton Middle School program. His role will increase this season as he becomes more familiar with the offensive and defensive systems. Kris will work mainly with our middle school running backs and defensive backs.
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Teagan Durishin-
2023 will be Coach Durishin's inaugural season as a coach with the Lehighton Indians. However, he is no stranger to the Program. He was a 2016 graduate and a 2-way starter as a senior on the 2015 team that went 11-1 and played for a district championship. Teagan will assist with the middle school program and work mainly with the receivers and defensive backs. He is a graduate of Temple University.
Kristen Gieniec- Athletic Trainer
2023 will be the 16th year for Kristen working with Lehighton's football program. She joined the athletic program in 2008 and has worked closely with the basketball and baseball programs, along with assisting the other athletic programs as well. Kristen is a 2003 graduate of Panther Valley. She is also a 2007 graduate of Lock Haven University, where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Health Sciences. She holds a BOC certification, as well as the PA state license for athletic trainers. During her time at Lock Haven, she worked with multiple athletic programs. Prior to coming to Lehighton, Kristen also worked in Physical Therapy at OAA. She currently works for LVHN and resides in the Panther Valley area.