When Dave Pacchioni resigned as the head football coach at Pleasant Valley, the school district did not have to look far for his replacement.

Enter Mark Versuk, who has been on the football team's coaching staff since 2001.For Versuk, a 1995 graduate and former three-sport star during his playing days with the Bears, it's the opportunity of a lifetime."Being hired as the head football coach means a lot to me," Versuk said. "There are many teachers, coaches, friends and family members here in the West End who have helped me along the way."There is always the time in which you feel is 'right.' The decision was made by myself and some of the coaches from Dave Pacchioni's staff to go apply, so I did. Pleasant Valley has given me a great opportunity."Citing family reasons, Pacchioni stepped down as head football coach in December after compiling a 12-10 record in two years at the helm. The Bears reached the Eastern Conference playoffs this past season after qualifying for district play in 2014.Versuk was the offensive coordinator during Pacchioni's tenure and helped Pleasant Valley average over 31 points per game this past season. Versuk was also the junior varsity and freshman head coach before serving as a varsity assistant under Jim Terwilliger, who led the football program for five years before Pacchioni took over."It makes things easier for the football players when a coach is hired from the former staff," Versuk noted. "The kids know who I am and what kind of coach I am. We have been 45-31 in the past seven seasons with several district appearances and one league title."The program coach Terwilliger put in place was continued by coach Pacchioni and will be continued by our coaching staff. I see Dave (Pacchioni) on a daily basis and he has made the transition as smooth as possible. His door is always open for any of our coaches to come in and ask for advice."Versuk has also been a varsity assistant coach with Pleasant Valley's baseball team since 2010, a role he will continue in this year, though he acknowledged it likely will be his last spring on the diamond."I would have to say right now that this will be my last season coaching baseball here," Versuk said. It was not fair if I left this close to the season."While Versuk might be preoccupied with baseball for the next few months, he hasn't lost sight of what's on the horizon and what it will take to continue a winning tradition in the fall. "I spoke with the players and parents the other night and explained that we want to develop well-rounded student-athletes with great character," Versuk said. "We have to outwork our opponents on a daily basis. We have to be ultra-competitive in whatever we are doing."The competition aspect, sportsmanship, team building and game experience all will make our players better. Lastly, we need to make good decisions on and off the field. If we do all of those things we will have a chance to make the district playoffs again."