Coach Wiles and Coach Kerr Coach Last Touchdowns

December 3, 2021

Susquehannock’s head coaching staff, head coach Steven Wiles and assistant coach Bill Kerr, have decided to resign from their positions.

Wiles has been coaching for almost 30 years, seven of them at Susquehannock, seven years at Hanover High School and eight years at Delone Catholic High School.

Ben Oestrike compliments the team working together in order to pull off the win. “Our team worked really well together and everyone did their own part. We really clicked and the only thing that could stop us was our own penalties,” said Oestrike. “Personally my job was really easy with the o-line all doing a great job and creating some big holes for me. It was really fun with the student section supporting us. It felt amazing to pull off a win with everyone there.” Photograph by Mackenzie Womack

Kerr has coached for 27 years at different schools, including Susquehannock.

The time commitment that Wiles and Kerr made throughout their years of coaching has finally come to an end.

Kerr had to make this difficult decision for many reasons, the main one being family.

“I would like to spend more time with my wife and family,” Kerr said. “We hope to spend some long weekends in the fall and visit our children who all live out of state. Although I enjoy coaching, the seven-day-a-week grind for 10 weeks every year is difficult.”

Kerr spent five years coaching at York Tech, 10 years at York Suburban and 12 years at Susquehannock.

Wiles made the decision for the same reason: to spend time with his family.

Both Kerr and Wiles have many aspects of coaching that they will miss.

Head coach Steve Wiles and assistant coach Joe Sorice regroup the offense to figure out how they are going to score on Eastern York. The Warriors were shutout on offense for the first time this season. Photograph by Mackenzie Womack

Not only do the fans enjoy the Friday Night Lights, but the coaches did as well.

“I will definitely miss Friday nights,” Wiles said. “The whole atmosphere of a Friday night football game is amazing. The community, student section and excitement of the game is like no other sport.”

Head coach Steve Wiles watches his team defend during their game against Eastern York. “We have a very very young team,” said Wiles. “We lost a lot of seniors from last year, but we’re getting better each week, so that’s what you’re really looking for.” Photograph by Mackenzie Womack

Wiles and Kerr enjoyed seeing their former players succeed and also join the coaching staff in prior seasons.

The coaches both share the same favorite memory together: getting the division two title and winning the district three championship.

“I think as a coach, you ultimately want to see your teams compete and win championships,” Wiles said. “I had the opportunity to lead former teams to District III Championships at Hershey Park Stadium.”

Not only was Wiles a part of a successful team, Kerr had the opportunity to coach alongside him during these successful championships.

“One of the biggest memories at Susky was winning Division 2 in 2017,” Kerr said. “I’ll never forget watching the student body storm the field after we beat Dover.”

As Wiles and Kerr take on a new chapter in their lives, remembering them as some of the most successful football coaches will be something that players and community members will always remember.