Wilkes head football coach Frank Sheptock has stepped down from his position as coach of the Colonels after serving in the role for the past 18 seasons.

 

Sheptock accepted an administrative position as the Director of Athletics at Berwick Area School District following his departure from Wilkes.

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"Wilkes has had such a huge impact on me both personally and professionally and I have the utmost respect for the administration at the University who gave me the chance to be a part of it all," Sheptock said. "The amount of student-athletes and families that have come through this football program means a tremendous amount to me as I have forged some relationships that I will cherish for the rest of my life."

 

Coming to Wilkes with former head man Joe DeMelfi in 1990, Sheptock was the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach for the Colonels from 1992 to 1995. During his tenure as defensive coordinator, Sheptock turned the Colonels into one of the top defensive teams in the Middle Atlantic Conference.

 

After a six-year run as an assistant coach, Sheptock was introduced as the seventh head coach in the program's history in January 1996. He led the Colonels to a 107-81 record (.569), including two NCAA and seven ECAC postseason berths during his tenure, with a Middle Atlantic Conference championship coming in 2006 when Wilkes finished a school-best 11-1.

 

"Frank has spent the majority of his professional career as a head coach and changed the face of Wilkes football and introduced so much more than 'playing football' to the student athletes he coached," said Wilkes Athletics Director Addy Malatesta. "When called upon, Frank was ready to serve the athletic department and the University, for that we will always be grateful."

 

He leaves as the school's all-time winnigest coach, surpassing the legendary Rollie Schmidt who was 90-73-1 from 1962-1981. Sheptock reached the 100-win milestone for his career on September 29, 2012 as the Colonels defeated FDU-Florham 37-27 at Schmidt Stadium.

 

"I will miss the University and the kids, but I am excited for the new challenges ahead at Berwick where I plan on introducing new ideas and initiatives in my new position," he added. "Wilkes is a very special place to me; I have made so many great friends and experiences during my time at Wilkes that will remain with me forever".

 

Under Sheptock, who was a member of the American Football Coaches Association and served as chairperson of the MAC Football Games Committee, the Colonels had 120 players named to the All-MAC teams, including 67 first team selections. Sheptock also coached 34 All-ECAC honorees, including two players of the year, and eight D3football.com All-Americans.

 

Wilkes will begin to formulate a process to find Sheptock's replacement immediately.