By SAM MATTA

Tnsports@tnonline.com

HOMETOWN - Stan Dakosty has had many emotional days during his lifetime, but Thursday afternoon may have been the most stirring for the 65-year old Marian football coach.

The longtime leader of the gridiron program at the small catholic high school in Hometown, Dakosty announced that he was stepping aside as the head football coach after 40 years of leading the Colts, and 43 years of being part of this tradition-rich program.

During his highly-successful career, Dakosty's team won 12 postseason titles, with a 1990 PIAA Class A State Championship serving as the crowning achievement.

The announcement was not made in haste assured Dakosty when he stepped to the podium after Marian principal Jean Susco formally introduced him. Dakosty said it was a decision he has been contemplating for a few weeks, adding that he will stay on as the school's athletic director and social studies teacher.

Dakosty began his press conference by thanking the assembled group of friends, family and media for coming and by wishing Panther Valley boys basketball coach Pat Crampsie a speedy recovery in his battle with prostate cancer.

"I've been blessed to literally coach and teach at a school that is second to none," Dakosty then said. "When I get a chance to speak publicly I tell people that I teach and coach at the best high school in Pennsylvania."

Obviously this day was not easy for one of Pennsylvania's most respected high school football coaches. Dakosty became emotional throughout the 20-plus minutes that he spoke and answered questions.

As he peered into the audience, his voice would crackle, looking at his mother Jackie Dick; his sister Pattie-Jean; his wife Mary; and his son Stan Dakosty III, who is an assistant football coach at Colgate University. He also mentioned his brother Bob, his two other sisters Janice and Karen, and his daughter Kathy, who is a teacher and lives in Morristown, as family members who were unable to attend.

Dakosty touched on many subjects, starting with his family.

Reflecting back to his late father, Dakosty said, "I'm the proud son of Stan and Jackie Dick of Shenandoah, Pennsylvania … dad never missed a day of work in 40 years, and mom never misses a game. She's 85 and I'm mad she's walking down the steps (with a walker).

"Without family it doesn't mean anything, right? My family and extended family mean the world to me."

Dakosty fondly talked about the only two principals he worked under at Marian prior to this year - Jack Malarkey and Sister Bernard Agnes, calling them "giants," and praising them for how they have built the school and the football program with success and honor. "I'm just a piece of the puzzle," he said humbly, again welling with emotion.

Dakosty praised the faculty throughout his years and explained how their support both on and off the field has made Marian a success in far more ways than just wins on the field. He also gave special thanks to the highly regarded Men of Marian school booster organization and the Quarterback Club for the roles they have played in the football program's success.

Dakosty also proudly boasted about the region he had the privilege of coaching in during his career.

"I want to recognize the Coal Region coaches who are second to none and the coal region players we've played against. Coal Region football is really special," Dakosty said. "I want to recognize the media for how much you've done over the years for our program and football in general … the media gets little recognition, but I applaud you for all the good you've done."

His dedicated coaching staff was on Dakosty's mind as well.

"I have coaches with me for more than 30 years. That is quite achievement in this day and age," Dakosty said. "My current coaches Charlie 'Chink' Connely, Lou Ceci, Jim Barron, Rick Weidick, Pat Morgans, JD Hackenberg, Joe Rafferty and the late Kenny Snerr (who passed away during the season) along with Mark Gallagher our trainer … I literally stand on their shoulders. I get too much credit, but these are guys doing the work in the background. They deserve a ton of credit and recognition."

Dakosty pointed to his final group of players, again breaking down emotionally, as he talked about his final meeting with the team earlier in the morning.

"It was tough, it was tough to stand in front of a group of great young men, and you realize that you're not going to be their coach again," he said. "I've watched generation after generation of Marian players who believed in using football as a means to an end, of being proud of where they came from, and then coming to realize medals and championships are great, but relationships are what it is all about. I love my Colts. Always have. Always will.

"If someone had taken me 43 years ago and said here's the problems, here's the hassles, here's the wins, here's the losses, here's the trouble, here's the joy … and said to me 'would you do that for 43 years' you know right now I'd say show me the way… show me the way.

"It's been a heck of ride man, a heck of a ride!"