SHADYSIDE — Ever since Mark Holenka returned to Shadyside as an assistant coach in 1999, he’s consistently had the best interest of the Tigers’ program and players at the forefront.
That mindset played a big role in Wednesday’s decision to resign as the head football coach after a highly successful 13-year stint.
“For the betterment of the program and, most importantly, the student-athletes, it’s time to move on,” Holenka said.
Tendering a resignation just 16 days before the first game of the season isn’t common.
The resignation comes after a cloud of controversy was hovering over the program because of some alleged insensitive comments. Those led to a meeting between Holenka and Shadyside school administrators late last week. Those findings led to a more than two-hour, board of education meeting held entirely in executive session this past Monday.
“The division in the coaches’ office leads to division among the players,” Holenka said. “It wasn’t going to work as it was constructed and needed to be fixed quickly to co-exist.”
Holenka, who has been away from the Tigers’ team since concluding their summer workouts late last week, informed Superintendent John Haswell of his decision.
“On behalf of the Shadyside Local School District, I would like to thank Coach Holenka for his years of dedicated service to our beloved Tiger football program,” Haswell said in a prepared statement. “Coach Holenka’s football knowledge and attention to detail helped our program to achieve a high level of success throughout his tenure. There is no doubt that Coach Holenka will be a hall of fame coach for his achievements in his decades long football coaching career. I wish him nothing but the best in his retirement years!”
Shadyside’s Board of Education will hold a special meeting on Monday at 7 a.m. to formally accept Holenka’s resignation and it will also vote to approve Michael Kernik as the interim head coach for the 2022 season.
Holenka was named the Tigers’ head coach in 2009, replacing Ty Fleming.
Holenka, who had never been a head football coach prior to his stint at his alma mater, was appreciative of the school’s administration’s efforts from throughout his tenure.
“I’d like to thank the administration for its support and the board of education members that never took offense because of personal conflict as to what was right opposed to what was (desired),” Holenka said. ”
The Tigers’ program showed no signs of letup either.
Under Holenka’s direction, Shadyside qualified for the playoffs every season and had just one campaign (2015) in which it finished with a sub .500 record. All told, Holenka posted an impressive 115-42 career record.
Included in those wins were six OVAC championships, including last season, a Division VII state runner-up finish in 2010 and six other trips to the regional championship game.
“My hat’s off to all of the special and talented young athletes who carried the torch, played with tremendous dedication and focus to make this happen for us,” Holenka said. “The players established the tradition that we attempted to uphold.”
Along with the players, Holenka expressed his gratitude to Fleming for giving him the opportunity to return to Shadyside as an assistant as well as all of the other coaches who have worked along side of him during his tenure.
“I’d like to thank all of the loyal assistants I got to work with,” Holenka said. “Whether that was when I was the defensive coordinator with Coach Fleming or the loyal assistants who worked their tails off as members of my staff. That allowed us to go on many great rides from 2009 through the present.”
Though Holenka’s resume is certainly hall of fame worthy, his lone regret is the fact that he wasn’t able to win a state championship.
“I am truly sorry about that and it really troubles me,” Holenka said. “Even with the most recent and successful season that concluded, we had the talent to be in (the state final) if the injury bug didn’t keep biting, and if I only had the ability to keep the pieces together because it’s all part of football and my job.”
Off the field, Holenka’s vision and commitment helped lead to the major upgrades of late at Fleming Field.
“I’d like to thank the community for its support,” Holenka said. “The businesses and community officials always made sure we had everything we needed to represent Shadyside with class. Let’s not wear blinders to the charitable support of Mr. Tony Francis, Mr. Brian Hendershot and the numerous others throughout the valley, state of Ohio and beyond.”
Above all, Holenka was extremely grateful to his wife, Lana, as well as daughters Ashley (Farrier), Shayla (Grinch) and Hayley (Kinemond).
“I love my family for loving me and allowing me to do what I’ve always loved,” Holenka said. “My wife and three daughters got the shortest end of the stick, especially when they were growing up and always asking, ‘mom! Is dad home yet?’ Well, I am home now! For how long … who knows?”