BY MIKE MASTOVICH
After one memorable season, Dave Roman Jr. stepped down as head coach of the Greater Johnstown boys basketball team.
Roman said he turned in his letter of resignation to Johnstown Athletic Director Tony Penna Sr. on May 20, citing a new job and family commitments.
“It is a change in jobs. It was in the best interest of my family. It was a job opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” said Roman, who had served nearly three years as Westmont Recreation’s executive director prior to committing to a new job “with a local development company.”
Roman led the Trojans to an 18-7 record and a District 6 Class AAA championship last season. Previously he had
201 career wins and four District 6 titles coaching the Westmont Hilltop boys team in 10 seasons.
“Absolutely I will miss it. Johnstown gave me a great opportunity,” Roman said. “It was a great experience coaching down there. I had a great group of kids. I’ll miss them. They accepted me and bought into what we were trying to teach them. We had a real successful season. The opportunity for this job came up and I couldn’t turn it down.”
This week, rumors began to surface that Roman was leaving Johnstown, and there even was some chatter that Roman would accept a vacant coaching position, possibly at Westmont.
Roman admitted he’s heard such speculation, but said at this point he’s out of the coaching game.
He didn’t dismiss a possible comeback though.
“That’s up for debate,” Roman said. “I won’t rule it out. I might coach again in the future.”
Penna praised Roman and his assistants, Neil Cobaugh and Ryan Durham, for last season’s success. Penna presented Johnstown Superintendent Barbara Parkins with Roman’s letter of resignation, and the Johnstown School Board was also notified.
The position was posted internally on Thursday, Penna said, and will be advertised publicly after 10 days.
“Davey is a great basketball mind and a relentless worker and scouter,” Penna said.
“He’s everything you’d want in a young head coach. He does things by he book. He doesn’t play games. He’s truthful with his players and the administration. I have nothing but respect for him. Besides admiring him as a friend and a player, I think he’s one of the best coaches in the area if not the best. I thought it was a great match when he came here.”
Penna said the next Trojans coach will have a solid foundation.
“There are some superb athletes coming up in basketball,” Penna said.
“We have a strong junior high program. We have some excellent returning players.”
Roman’s choice to leave Johnstown after only one season wasn’t made lightly.
“It was a tough decision but with the opportunity I was given, at this point in my life I’ve got to do what is best for my kids,” said Roman, who with his wife Karen has a
5-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter.
“That’s what the decision was based upon.”
