Franklin Regional hires Getsy as new football coach Monday
Written by: Sean Meyers
February 23, 2021
Tags: Lance Getsy Greg Botta
Lance Getsy was an assistant coach at Franklin Regional in 2020.
Following in the footsteps of a legendary coach is often a tall task, but Lance Getsy will have the opportunity to carry on the tradition of one of his mentors – Greg Botta – as Getsy was hired as the new Franklin Regional football head coach on Monday. Getsy, who was the Panthers’ offensive coordinator under Botta last year, was approved unanimously by the school board.
“He just got the program into a position where the culture is great, and it’s exciting to be able to come in and continue to build off of what he already started,” Getsy said of Botta, who stepped down earlier this year after 27 years at the helm of the Franklin Regional program.
Getsy, who was also an assistant for the Panthers in 2016 and 17, spent two seasons as the head coach at Charleroi before returning to Murrysville last campaign. He also serves as a teacher in the Franklin Regional School District.
During his time working under Botta, he witnessed that the responsibilities of a coach far exceed the execution on the gridiron.
“Just the relationships he built with (the players), and the communication skills – I think that’s what I learned more from him than anything,” Getsy said of Botta.
Getsy’s football experience includes his time as a player at Steel Valley and Slippery Rock University, as well as several coaching stints, including overseeing the development of his younger brother, Luke, during his career with the Ironmen. The younger Getsy enjoyed a standout career at Steel Valley, and he played collegiately at Pitt and Akron. He currently serves as the quarterback coach with the Green Bay Packers, working with Aaron Rodgers.
Lance Getsy noted that his pride for football tradition began at Steel Valley, where legendary coach George Novak oversaw a program that included player Bill Cherpak, who went on to experience unparalleled success as a coach at Thomas Jefferson. Getsy’s career at Slippery Rock also exposed him to George Mihalik, who won nearly 200 games in 28 seasons guiding The Rock.
“You learn a little bit from everybody and mold it into your own personality,” Getsy said of all of the accomplished coaches who aided his development. “I’m just grateful for being able to be around so many great football minds.”
Getsy inherits a Panthers’ squad that went 4-3 but missed the playoffs in 2020, which snapped a streak of 16 consecutive campaigns qualifying for the WPIAL postseason.
“I think I’m just going to bring an enthusiasm – that I believe was there – it’s just a little spin to it,” he said. “I’m going to bring commitment, effort, and a do-whatever-it-takes mentality and attitude.”
Just like his predecessor, Getsy seems more focused on building relationships and molding boys into men, as opposed to wins and losses.
And while he’s still developing his staff, Getsy anticipates that Botta will be present at times to lend a helping hand.
“I’m sure he’s going to be around,” Getsy stated. “I know when football season comes, this is something that he’s lived for for so long.”