Bob Stelma had a plan when became head coach at his alma mater Wyoming Valley West three seasons ago. He felt that if the football program was still not heading in the right direction after five years, he would step away and let someone else try.
Instead, Stelma handed in his resignation Monday following the completion of Valley West’s season Friday night in the District 2 Class 5A playoffs.
“I came in with a plan, and we already hit a lot of the metrics,” Stelma said. “Our community service work, we established the mini football program.”
In the three seasons under Stelma, the Spartans went 2-30, qualifying for the district playoffs in two of his three seasons. The season before he took over, the program finished 0-10. Stelma said he decided to resign to spend more time with his family.
“I have a wife and two daughters,” Stelma said. “My one daughter is a cheerleader at Kutztown, and my other daughter is now trying to secure a job as a strength and conditioning coach. I just felt it was time to step away and focus on my family.”
Stelma will leave a solid foundation upon which the new coach can build. The Spartans began the season with 22 sophomores on the roster and a junior class that gained valuable experience over the last two seasons. Sophomore quarterback Damien Eastman threw for 1,660 yards and 12 touchdowns, while senior wide receiver John Richards caught 51 passes for 1,096 yards and 11 touchdowns.
“We were trying to teach the kids what it takes to play at the next level,” said Stelma, who played for East Stroudsburg University. “My theme was that I wanted them to be Spartans on the field, in the community and in the classroom. You have your highs and lows and good times,. Even in the bad times there were good times. I don’t regret anything I did.”