Post by ITCL Web Page on Mar 24, 2007 21:41:50 GMT -5
Legendary coach Artie Altomare is retiring as the head football coach of the Leetonia Bears. He has led the Bears for 28 years and has complied a record of 152-130-2. The record of 152 wins is a Columbiana County best for head coaches in the county. He has also captured 6 TCL titles, and 3 playoff appearances.
One of the highlights of his career was a 2 minute drive by the Bears against then Springfield-Jefferson (now part of Edison), with a game winning touchdown as time expired. That win gave Altomare his first TCL championship in 1980.
Altomare actually had two separate stints with the Bears. In 1995, the Leetonia BOE voted on a non-renewal of Altomare's contact. he served as an assistant coach for the Salem Quakers for two years before being re-hired at Leetonia in 1997.
Altomare's son Matt, who has been Artie's defensive co-ordinator, will take over for his dad. Altomare, who is also the mayor of Leetonia, will continue to assist the team, but is not sure in what capacity just yet. Altomare feels the program is in good shape, and that his son is now ready for the challenge of being a head coach.
Here is a short article in the Salem News: www.salemnews.net/sports/arti...articleID=5237
One of the highlights of his career was a 2 minute drive by the Bears against then Springfield-Jefferson (now part of Edison), with a game winning touchdown as time expired. That win gave Altomare his first TCL championship in 1980.
Altomare actually had two separate stints with the Bears. In 1995, the Leetonia BOE voted on a non-renewal of Altomare's contact. he served as an assistant coach for the Salem Quakers for two years before being re-hired at Leetonia in 1997.
Altomare's son Matt, who has been Artie's defensive co-ordinator, will take over for his dad. Altomare, who is also the mayor of Leetonia, will continue to assist the team, but is not sure in what capacity just yet. Altomare feels the program is in good shape, and that his son is now ready for the challenge of being a head coach.
Here is a short article in the Salem News: www.salemnews.net/sports/arti...articleID=5237