Valuable assistants will be on Monessen football sidelines

When the Monessen Greyhounds report to Memorial Stadium today for the start of heat acclimation activities, there will be a very familiar face on the coaching staff that will join them.

Mikey Blainefield, a Monessen alum and former head coach of the Greyhounds, is joining head coach Wade Brown’s staff as offensive coordinator.

Blainefield ran Monessen’s program from 2017-19 before he left over what he termed “fundamental disagreements” with the administration.

At that time, Blainefield never envisioned himself being part of the program again because of how things transpired.

“I never thought in a million years I would be back here,” said Blainefield, who coached at Hempfield, Franklin Regional and Ringgold after he departed Monessen. “My heart has always been with Monessen and the kids and I’m really excited to be back.”

Blainefield isn’t the only new familiar face on Brown’s staff.

Also coaching will be Mick Williams, who previously served as a varsity assistant at Monessen, and Aaron Ingram, another alumnus who once played for the Black and White.

Williams will serve as defensive coordinator, and Ingram is the team’s strength and conditioning coach.

Blainefield said he is excited to be back and gave a lot of credit to Superintendent D. Robert Motte and Brown.

“Without those two, I don’t think this could have happened,” Blainefield said. “Dr. Motte was proactive in getting us (Blainefield and the administration) together and coach Brown was adamant that he wanted us on staff.

“I’m not sure many coaches in his shoes would have gone to bat to get a former head coach on his staff. But coach Brown is like me. He wants what is best for the kids, first and foremost.”

“I didn’t have any problem with (Blainefield) being a former head coach here,” said Brown, who is entering his fourth season. “We’ve talked and I couldn’t be more pleased to have all three of them on the staff. It just makes us that much better. And with Mikey’s head coaching experience, it really helps what we want to do here.”

Brown also credited athletic director Gina Naccarato with being on board with Blainefield’s return.

“She recommended it and signed off on it,” Brown said. “I really appreciate that.”

Blainefield said Motte organized two meetings in the spring with Blainefield and administrators, adding, “All issues were addressed and ironed out and I think everybody is happy.”

In his three seasons at Monessen, Blainefield guided the Greyhounds to a Tri-County South Conference co-championship and two playoff appearances.

“The wealth of knowledge (Blainefield, Williams and Ingram) bring to the program is invaluable,” Brown said. “They all know the kids and the kids know them. It’s a win-win.

“I can already see big benefits to having them here because we have over 30 players on the team and our summer conditioning routinely drew around 20 kids every time.”

One thing that Blainefield is aware of is he is not returning to the familiarity of the TCS Conference.

Monessen was moved to the rugged Black Hills Conference, which includes defending WPIAL champion Fort Cherry.

The Greyhounds have been moved to a conference that Brown has called “the SEC of Class A football.”

“This definitely isn’t the Tri-County South, that’s for sure,” Blainefield said with a laugh. “The last three WPIAL Class A champions (Fort Cherry, Cornell and Bishop Canevin) are in this conference. But I’m excited about the competition. I honestly can’t wait.”

“If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best,” added Brown. “I have no complaints about the conference. Every game this season will be a big one for us.”

With the step up in competition, it’s probably a good thing the Greyhounds have two head coaches on staff.

“I’m just glad to be back home,” Blainefield said he then added with a chuckle, “I don’t have to be the head coach. Heck, I’m only the assistant coach in my own house.”

Anyone with any thoughts, opposing views or comments on this column can reach Jeff Oliver by emailing justjto@verizon.net.