New Kensington-Arnold School District will cast a wide net as it searches for a new varsity football head coach.

The school board Tuesday accepted the resignation of William “Muzzy” Colosimo and will advertise the coaching position. Colosimo did not attend the meeting.

Colosimo, 71, previously said he felt it was time to retire from coaching.

Colosimo’s coaching career spanned 50 years. He served as the head coach at Valley High School for eight seasons after 17 years as head coach at Greensburg Central Catholic. He was enshrined in the Pennsylvania State Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2014.

He is remaining with the district as athletic director and assistant director of buildings and grounds, Assistant Superintendent Jon Banko said.

Colosimo ran as a Democrat in this year’s election for Westmoreland County clerk of courts. He lost the race to Republican Megan A. Loughner, who won with about 66% of the nearly 85,000 votes cast, according to unofficial election results.

Before the election, Colosimo said he would remain as athletic director if he did not win the election.

School board members Scott Bussard and Bob Pallone each praised Colosimo fornot only his work as a coach, but for the difference he made in the lives of the students and players he touched.

Bussard said Colosimo was often a father figure to his players — or a grandfather figure.

Pallone said Colosimo, who used his connections to help students get to college, will be difficult to replace. Despite stepping down, Colosimo previously said he wants to keep working with colleges to get current seniors and other players into college.

“His heart was absolutely with the kids,” school board President Tim Beckes said.

In conducting its search for Colosimo’s replacement, the board discussed placing ads in multiple newspapers, on job boards and with the WPIAL.

Board member Steve Sorch said he wants to bring on someone with previous experience as a head football coach.

Superintendent Chris Sefcheck said the district, while not in a rush, will move quickly to fill the position. He could not say how long the process will take.

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