DeUnger is perfect fit as new Charleroi football coach

Iremember vividly when Scott “Scooter” DeUnger wore the various uniforms of Charleroi’s baseball, football and basketball teams.

He stood out to me from the rest of the players for various reasons.

The most of which was not his talent, even though there was plenty of that regardless of the sport.

What I saw as a casual observer during DeUnger’s Cougar career was an extremely hard-nosed, no-nonsense kid who busted his butt to win and hated losing like it was a cancer.

His football and baseball uniforms were always dirty. In basketball, sweat dripped off his head like he just stepped out of the shower because of how hard he hustled from baseline to baseline.

I saw a drive and determination in him that won my respect and admiration.

Those are the traits that I think will serve him well as Charleroi’s new football coach.

He is definitely a leader. I won’t guarantee that Charleroi will win the conference in his maiden season in the fall. That may be asking a bit much.

But I am certain that fans will notice a change in the attitude and work ethic of the Red and Black while DeUnger walks the sidelines.

He brings with him so many things that should lead to a reversal in the fortunes of the football program.

Not only is he a local guy — an alumnus — who has a background of success as a player, but he will bring that no-nonsense, nevergive-up attitude to his team that served him so well, not only in high school, but also at Bethany where he was a baseball standout who was later inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame.

He’s an intense guy who doesn’t make — or accept — excuses.

A year ago he coached the school’s middle school gridders to a perfect 8-0 campaign. Nearly 20 of those players are moving up to the varsity with their coach. Since Charleroi played a lot of the 2024 season with 15 or fewer players, that alone is a positive step for the program.

DeUnger gets it when there is any talk of what it means to be a Cougar.

In his first interview after being hired he talked about the mystique of “Friday Night Lights,” what it meant to him and how much he wants as many Charleroi kids as possible to experience it before they graduate.

Even though he has a bevy of wide-eyed young players moving up, he is hell bent on attracting more sophomores, juniors and seniors to the team.

He said a scholastic career only lasts four years and most kids don’t continue playing in college. He treasured his playing days at Charleroi and said it is important to him to entice as many kids as he can to share that experience.

For a program that has seen six coaches over the past decade, DeUnger stressed he isn’t going anywhere. He bleeds red and black and that seems to be a dying breed in the community.

But hopefully not anymore.

Obviously, his hiring is already paying dividends.

But the most important dividends won’t be known until the team takes the field in the fall. I have a feeling the Charleroi faithful will be pleased.

I also have a feeling that from here on out, Friday nights at Myron Pottios Stadium are going to be popular haunts.

I know one thing for certain. When DeUnger makes his coaching debut at home against cross-river rival Monessen in the season opener, I will be there.

And I’ll be rooting for the old Cougar who is now a new coach.

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