Mary German

2000 Just Another Year To Area Seniors

MARK FITZHENRY and DOUG PAPE markf@leader.net
dougp@leader.net
 Wednesday, January 05, 2000 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1B<br><br>





During 30 years of coaching football, Rich Gorgone watched numerous
colleagues burn out.  Gorgone, who directed Lake-Lehman to 14 winning seasons
in the last 15 years, won't let that happen to him. He has beaten burnout to
the punch, deciding last month to retire from coaching. ``I went out on my own
terms,'' said Gorgone, a 53-year-old who has coached since he finished a
college football career as a tailback at Lock Haven. ``A lot of guys hang on.
I've seen it. I didn't want that to happen to me. ``Over the last couple
years, the time got to the point where it was getting to me. I started to feel
like I was getting burned out, and I didn't want to get total burnout.''
Lake-Lehman Athletic Director Rodger Bearde said the job isn't open yet.
Bearde and Gorgone said they would like to see longtime assistant Bob Langan
get the job.  Langan, 46, has been an assistant coach for 25 years - the last
15 at Lake-Lehman and the previous 10 at Wyoming Area. He has been the Black
Knights' defensive coordinator for four seasons and the offensive coordinator
for three.  ``I would definitely endorse Bob Langan if he is interested,''
Bearde said. ``I don't think there is a better candidate for the continuance
of the program.''  Langan said he has submitted a ``letter of interest'' to
the school. The letter wasn't a formal application since the job isn't open
yet.  Gorgone spent 20 years in two stints at Lake-Lehman. He coached for five
years at Morris Knolls High School in New Jersey. After that, he was the head
coach at Lake-Lehman five seasons, an assistant at Coughlin for one, defensive
coordinator at Wilkes for four, and back to Lake-Lehman for 15.  The Knights
reached the playoffs in six of the past eight seasons and won the District
2-2A title in 1997. Lake-Lehman finished 7-3 last season and was edged out of
postseason spots. Gorgone's 20-year record at Lake-Lehman was 117-90-2. ``I've
coached against him for the past 15 years and it's been a pleasure,'' said
Dallas coach Ted Jackson, who always ended his regular season against
Gorgone's team for the Old Shoe. ``His kids always came out well-prepared.
He's a great coach and it's a loss for the whole Wyoming Valley Conference.''
Gorgone said he will continue to teach history at Lake-Lehman. Retiring from
coaching enables him to spend more time with his wife of 31 years, Drena, and
his four children, all of whom are out of high school. Plus, he can attend
more Penn State games, play more golf and catch the best games. ``We lost a
good coach,'' Bearde said. ``It's tough to replace a guy like that who knows
the ins and outs of running a program.'' <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
Call Fitzhenry at 829-7218 or Pape at 829-7227. <br>

L-l's Gorgone Beats Burnout For Last Victory 
Lake-lehman Looks At A Trusted Assistant To Replace Its Longtime Head Football
Coach, Who Served The School In Two Stints.

L-l's Gorgone Beats Burnout For Last Victory Lake-lehman Looks At A Trusted Assistant To Replace Its Longtime Head Football Coach, Who Served The School In Two Stints.