Apr 4, 2016 3 min read

Joe Nicolella’s interest in a new job was sparked by post-practice cups of coffee discussing life as an athletic director, the rewards, challenges and basic day-to-day duties with longtime Washington boys basketball coach Ron Faust.

When Faust resigned as athletic director and coach in 2009, Nicolella knew he wanted to fill the AD spot. That required many late phone calls with his former boss, but it helped the 60-year-old to a successful seven-year stint as an athletic administrator.

It’s a career which will officially come to a close following this academic year. With his contract expiring, Nicolella decided to step away from Wash High’s athletic office for good.

The decision came after Nicolella sat down with the district’s school board, which asked for him to return in 2013 after he had retired just months earlier. According to Dr. Roberta DiLorenzo, the district’s superintendent, interviews have begun to find his replacement.

“We discussed some possibilities and different scenarios for the future, but I think it’s probably time to move on,” Nicolella said.

After taking over for Faust, Nicolella, a graduate of Trinity High School and West Virginia University, oversaw the installation of a new turf field and bleachers at Wash High Stadium. He even brought Faust back as boys basketball coach in 2014.

The longtime friends each oversaw successful athletic programs at Wash High. Nicolella started as a scorekeeper for Faust in 1978, coached the junior high and junior varsity basketball teams and worked as Faust’s top assistant since 1990.

He was around for four WPIAL championships (1984-86, 1990) and two PIAA titles (1984 and ’86), as well as the program’s 52-game winning streak. He was on the bench this season when Faust led the Prexies to the second round of the state playoffs, depite entering the tournmaent as the WPIAL’s fifth seed.

“I’ve known Ron since I was a kid, but having the opportunity to teach and coach with him was incredible,” Nicolella said. “He’s the consummate educator, coach and administrator. I reaped the benefits from that relationship. I learned everything from him.”

For Nicolella, who taught English for 35 years in addition to serving as yearbook advisor, it was bittersweet to make the decision. He laughs remembering his early distressed calls to Faust, but he found his way.

“I was glad to see he got the job in the first place,” Faust said. “As a coach and a teacher, he had all the qualities to be an outstanding ahtletic director. He’s a tireless worker and he really pays attention to detail. He’s a person of integrity.”

He’ll even be honored at the Tri-County Coach of the Year banquet later this month with the Tri-County Athletic Director Award for top athletic administrator. Faust received the honor in his last year as Wash High’s AD as well.

“To be honest with you, I think I hit my stride the last couple of years,” Nicolella said. “I got into the job and the routines became familiar. Some of the challenges earlier were easier to deal with. I called Ron Faust every week those first few years and you get comfortable. Once you get used to the routine, you figure out the challenges and move forward.

Though he and his wife plan to spend more time with their children and grandchildren, Nicolella said that the decision is not a retirement.

“I’ll look for something else to do,” Nicolella said. “I’d like to keep working. It’s not my nature to sit around.”