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Mike Mischler never lost the passion for coaching football.
He stepped away in February of 2022 to take a break and spend time with family, including watching his son Joe play football at Duquesne.
After two years away from coaching, Mischler joined the Prep staff as the offensive coordinator this past fall and on Monday, he was elevated back to head coach of the Ramblers.
“It really was a decision between my wife and I and at first she was pretty hesitant to it,” said Mischler about returning as the head coach for a third time. “There were a lot of things going on these past few months including helping coach (Pat) Czytuck go through cancer. My wife and I had a few more discussions, and she knows this is in my heart. She has sacrificed a lot for me over the years so I can coach, and this is a part of me and Prep is a part of me. I’m excited to get started.”
Last season: How many Erie County head football coaches are former Mike Mischler assistant coaches?
Mischler, 56, has one of the top resumes in District 10 football history. Between 20 seasons at Prep and three at Iroquois, Mischler has a record of 231-66 with 16 league championships, 23 playoff appearances, 14 District 10 championships, 11 PIAA semifinal appearances, eight state championship game appearances and five state championships.
Mischler, who is the vice president of operations at Cathedral Prep, is the only coach in D-10 history to win multiple state championships and he is currently fifth all-time in wins. He has a chance to catch some notable coaches in the next few years as Sharpsville’s Paul Piccirilli has 234 wins, longtime Wilmington coach Terry Verrelli has 235 and Sharon’s Jim Wildman has 243. The D-10 record for football coaching wins is 270 by J.B. Leidig of Warren.
“I never really used the word retire back in 2022,” Mischler said. “I thought I might fall in somewhere on the staff down the line and just help out. I never really had a thought about being the head coach again.”
Mike Krahe replaced Mischler in 2022 and added him to the staff last fall as the offensive coordinator. In three seasons, Prep went 22-11 under Krahe.
Assistant role: Hall of Fame coach Mike Mischler rejoins Cathedral Prep football staff
“I was an offensive lineman so I’m used to taking the role of a follower but I think I’m naturally a leader,” Mischler said. “I prefer to lead and it gives me a chance to be my self and to do things my way. Coach Krahe did a lot of similar things and kept a lot of our traditions going so it’ll be an easy transition.”
Mischler said he enjoyed calling the plays last year but will hire an offensive coordinator and a defensive coordinator so he can have a role of overseeing everything.
One of the most important things Mischler will implement this season is in memory of a Hall of Fame coach.
“We are dedicating this season to coach Czytuck,” Mischler said. “We’ll have his initials on our jerseys and we want to pay tribute to him.”
Contact Tom Reisenweber at [email protected]. Follow him on X @ETNreisenweber.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Cathedral Prep football: Mischler back for third stint as head coach
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He stepped away in February of 2022 to take a break and spend time with family, including watching his son Joe play football at Duquesne.
After two years away from coaching, Mischler joined the Prep staff as the offensive coordinator this past fall and on Monday, he was elevated back to head coach of the Ramblers.
“It really was a decision between my wife and I and at first she was pretty hesitant to it,” said Mischler about returning as the head coach for a third time. “There were a lot of things going on these past few months including helping coach (Pat) Czytuck go through cancer. My wife and I had a few more discussions, and she knows this is in my heart. She has sacrificed a lot for me over the years so I can coach, and this is a part of me and Prep is a part of me. I’m excited to get started.”
Last season: How many Erie County head football coaches are former Mike Mischler assistant coaches?
One of the top coaching resumes in D-10 history
Mischler, 56, has one of the top resumes in District 10 football history. Between 20 seasons at Prep and three at Iroquois, Mischler has a record of 231-66 with 16 league championships, 23 playoff appearances, 14 District 10 championships, 11 PIAA semifinal appearances, eight state championship game appearances and five state championships.
Mischler, who is the vice president of operations at Cathedral Prep, is the only coach in D-10 history to win multiple state championships and he is currently fifth all-time in wins. He has a chance to catch some notable coaches in the next few years as Sharpsville’s Paul Piccirilli has 234 wins, longtime Wilmington coach Terry Verrelli has 235 and Sharon’s Jim Wildman has 243. The D-10 record for football coaching wins is 270 by J.B. Leidig of Warren.
Mischler never 'used the word retire' with coaching
“I never really used the word retire back in 2022,” Mischler said. “I thought I might fall in somewhere on the staff down the line and just help out. I never really had a thought about being the head coach again.”
Mike Krahe replaced Mischler in 2022 and added him to the staff last fall as the offensive coordinator. In three seasons, Prep went 22-11 under Krahe.
Assistant role: Hall of Fame coach Mike Mischler rejoins Cathedral Prep football staff
“I was an offensive lineman so I’m used to taking the role of a follower but I think I’m naturally a leader,” Mischler said. “I prefer to lead and it gives me a chance to be my self and to do things my way. Coach Krahe did a lot of similar things and kept a lot of our traditions going so it’ll be an easy transition.”
Mischler said he enjoyed calling the plays last year but will hire an offensive coordinator and a defensive coordinator so he can have a role of overseeing everything.
One of the most important things Mischler will implement this season is in memory of a Hall of Fame coach.
“We are dedicating this season to coach Czytuck,” Mischler said. “We’ll have his initials on our jerseys and we want to pay tribute to him.”
Contact Tom Reisenweber at [email protected]. Follow him on X @ETNreisenweber.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Cathedral Prep football: Mischler back for third stint as head coach
Continue reading...
