Tim Pizzala is ready to lead Brandon varsity football players who will represent the Blackhawks with pride on and off the field.
That is the main objective for Pizzala, 30, who was hired Nov. 14 as the new Brandon varsity football coach after spending the past four seasons as an assistant under former Coach Ron Gill.
Prior to that, Pizzala was the freshman football coach at Brandon for four years, and served one year as a varsity assistant football coach at Saranac, which is located outside of Grand Rapids. He has also taught at Brandon High School since 1999, currently teaching Advanced Placement Psychology.
Brandon Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Tom Rodenbaugh said he interviewed five internal candidates before deciding to hire Pizzala.
‘All of them did a great job,? he said. ‘We just felt he (Pizzala) could bring it all together.?
Pizzala said he decided to pursue the head coaching position based on his time spent with the Brandon program.
‘I enjoyed working with the kids and seeing the potential they have,? he said. ‘I’ve learned a lot about what our kids need and what we need to do to become and stay competitive.?
As far as goals for the program, Pizzala said it is important for the players to develop their football skills, as well as their strength and conditioning. In addition, he wants to build the players? character to the point where they represent Brandon well in the classroom and the community, not just on Friday nights.
‘That’s a big thing for me, developing good kids on and off the field,? he said.
He and wife Heather have a three-year-old son, Payton.