Mifflinburg Area hires head football coach

Feb. 24—MIFFLINBURG — The assistant football coach of Mifflinburg Area School District is now the head varsity coach.

At Thursday night's public meeting, the school board members approved business education teacher and assistant football coach Cody Botts to the top position for the Mifflinburg Wildcats football program for $5,740. The position was left vacant last month following the resignation of head football coach Jason Dressler.

"I can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of excitement and enthusiasm," said Botts, a 2016 graduate of Mifflinburg Area, on Friday. "Taking on this role is not just a job for me; it's a chance to contribute to the growth and success of a program that holds a special place in my heart. Being at the helm of the football program at Mifflinburg is a source of immense pride and joy."

Botts was a captain on the football and basketball teams when he attended high school. While he attended Lycoming College, he started 31 straight games as Left Tackle and was a captain his senior year.

After he graduated in 2020, Botts taught two years at Lewisburg high school and coached one year on the varsity staff under Marc Persing. He coached one year at Susquehanna University in the Fall of 2021 and was the tight end's coach and assistant offensive line coach. He started coaching at Mifflinburg in the spring of 2022: two seasons of coaching as an assistant and he was the Offensive line coach and run game coordinator.

"Returning to the school where I graduated holds significant personal meaning," he said. "I am genuinely thrilled to be back in a community that has shaped my own journey and to contribute to the development of the next generation of student-athletes. I am eager to channel my passion for the sport into creating a positive and competitive environment for our players. The enthusiasm extends beyond the field; it's about fostering a sense of camaraderie, discipline, and achievement that will resonate not only within the football program but throughout the entire school and community. The opportunity to serve as the head coach at Mifflinburg is a dream come true."

As the new head football coach at the high school, Bott said he is excited about the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

"In my first year leading the program, my primary goals and focus revolve around transforming the overall culture of the football program, increasing participation, and strengthening community engagement," he said.

The appointment of Botts as head coach was a unanimous decision on Thursday night, but Board President Tom Eberhart was the lone vote against the financial compensation due to the process of reaching it.

"I have no objection to the individual, but I have an issue with the salary, with the way the salary came into being," said Eberhart.

The salary was proposed outside the collective bargaining agreement in a public session rather than an executive session, said Eberhart.

Other appointments, sports business

The board also approved volunteer coaches Jeremy Shaffer for baseball and Rachel Erickson and Ashtin Midkiff, both for junior high field hockey. The following individuals were approved for game manager of the 2024 spring sports season: Dave Oberlin for softball/JV softball, Jason Dressler for varsity/JV baseball, Ann Kay for junior high soccer and girls/boys lacrosse and Kathy Kuhns for junior high field hockey. Tammy Bollinger, Jason Dressler, Kathy Kuhns and Jennifer Haines were approved for game manager substitutes.

In unrelated sports matters, the school board approved the creation of a Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association girls' wrestling program.

Employee changes

The board also approved the following retirements: kindergarten teacher Leslie Herman, middle school social studies teacher George Kahler and elementary school physical education teacher Tom Church, all at the end of the 2023-24 school year.

The board also approved the following resignations: bus monitor LeeAnn Yeager, marching band color guard instructor Andrea Hockenbury, ESL Aide Miranda Myer, intermediate school aide Taunya Bingaman and middle school special education teacher Brittany Earlston.

Gretchen Powell was approved as the new special education teacher at the middle school at a salary of $73,050. Duane Snayberger was approved as the Director of Curriculum & Instruction at a salary of $85,000.

Jeremy Walter will transfer from a special education teacher at the middle school to a special education teacher at the high school. This transfer will be effective for the 2024-2025 school year.

The school board approved Kaeley Blair, of Selinsgrove, and Drew Potts, of Watsontown, as substitutes. Jessica Rousch, of Mount Pleasant Mills, was approved as a bus driver for the remainder of the school year. Amber Davis, of New Berlin, was approved as a bus monitor.