The North Schuylkill Board of Education officially approved the hiring of Joseph Tomtishen as the Spartans’ new Head Football Coach during its monthly meeting Wednesday night.
Tomtishen will take over the program beginning with the 2026 season, replacing longtime head coach Wally Hall, who resigned in December after 13 seasons leading the Spartans.
A familiar face within the North Schuylkill football program, Tomtishen has served as an assistant coach with the Spartans since 2013. During his tenure, he spent eight seasons as the team’s Defensive Coordinator from 2015 through 2022, playing a key role in the program’s success on the field.
Before joining North Schuylkill, Tomtishen gained additional coaching experience as an assistant at Tri-Valley High School under then-head coach Mike Kogut. He also spent four years coaching at the collegiate level as an assistant coach at Lebanon Valley College.
Following his appointment, Tomtishen expressed gratitude for the opportunity and pride in returning to lead his alma mater.
“I would like to thank the North Schuylkill Administration and School Board for having the faith and confidence in me to take over the program,” Tomtishen said. “I would also like to thank my family for their support, especially my wife Megan, who is a true coach’s wife, and my daughter Gretchen. I feel blessed to have this opportunity and I am full of Spartan Pride right now.”
Tomtishen also acknowledged the foundation built by his predecessor and emphasized continuity moving forward.
“I think it’s special to be able to coach your alma mater, and to be named the Head Football Coach at North Schuylkill is a dream for me,” he added. “Coach Hall did a tremendous job during the past 13 seasons, and we want to continue heading in the right direction.”
North Schuylkil Superintendent Robert Ackell said "I am excited that Coach T is our next Head Football Coach. This is not a rebuild, it’s a commitment to continue expanding the strong foundation already in place. As a guidance counselor in the high school, Joe knows our students, understands the culture, and is prepared take the program to the next level with Spartan pride."
