Although the Baldwin boys basketball team fell short of reaching WPIAL playoffs this season, three teachers in the building who coach at other high schools are playoff-bound with their teams.

Counselor Kyle DeGregorio has coached at Belle Vernon for the past five years. English teacher Jason Dolak is currently in his third year at South Park, while math teacher Dan Thayer is in his second at Brentwood.

At Belle Vernon, DeGregorio is a back-to-back section champion. Belle Vernon is ranked third overall going into the WPIAL playoffs and has an overall record of 17-5.

DeGregorio believes his team is ready to make a serious push for a championship after a successful year.

“I’d be cheating my guys if I said we didn’t have a chance to win a championship,” DeGregorio said

DeGregorio previously coached at Baldwin for nine years, leading the boys varsity squad to four playoff berths. His inspiration to coach comes from his father, who coached for 42 years at the high school and college levels, including stints as head coach at Clarion and assistant positions at Pitt and Niagara.

Dolak, who is originally from Erie, is taking South Park to the playoffs for the first time in his three years there. The Eagles finished 12-9  and secured the ninth seed as they prepare to play Valley in the first round.

“We finally established the winning culture I’ve been preaching to the kids over the past couple of years. It’s very satisfying to turn the program around with such great kids, ” Dolak said.

Dolak and DeGregorio faced each other twice during the season in section play, splitting the games.

“Belle Vernon has the best talent in the section.  It is always a tough matchup that we look forward to coming into every season,” Dolak said.

Thayer coaches one class lower in 3A but has scrimmaged against South Park and joins Belle Vernon for workouts occasionally.

Thayer’s Brentwood team finished the year 8-12 and made the playoffs for the first time since 2014. They are the 14 seed and will face Washington High in the first round.

“We’ve improved dramatically in just one year. We won twice as many games this year and still have a lot of young talent for the upcoming years. Hopefully we can stay poised in the first round, ” Thayer said.

Thayer previously coached Baldwin girls basketball up until 2011, and has been coaching ever since he began teaching. At Brentwood, math teacher Rich Fochtman is his assistant.

All three head coaches praise one another and appreciate the knowledge that each one has to offer.

“We are all super competitive on the court, but at the end all want the best for each other and will help one another in any way we can,” Thayer said.