One of the most successful, respected and iconic volleyball coaches in the state of Pennsylvania is now on the outside looking in.

After 18 seasons as the head volleyball coach at Marian High School, Dr. John Fallabel has been told by the administration that his position was officially being opened for applications.

“I had a meeting that lasted 15 minutes, and no one would give me a straight answer,” Fallabel said. “I looked Father Allen Hoffa (the current Head of the School) in the eye and asked was I being fired. He didn’t answer me. He wouldn’t look at me. Yes, I did scream and yell, and yes I did walk out of the meeting.

“They said nothing (specific) in the 15 or 20 minutes or whatever time I was there. They just told me about all the bad things that were going on in the program. So I got up and left. ”

Although Fallabel was told he could reapply if he wanted, the two-time state champion coach said it was obvious what the school was doing.

“I’ll tell you straight out - I was fired,” he said.

Fallabel said he had no inkling of any issues, and that after last season - one in which the Fillies won the District 11 Class 1A championship and reached the PIAA state title game - he met with school officials to go over his plans for the next season.

“I had my exit interview last December and I was rehired then,” Fallabel said via a phone call on Monday morning. “They wanted to know my coaching staff for next season. They wanted to know my practice plans and things like that.”

Fallabel said that he never was told his job was open, or that he had to reapply during that meeting.

When asked what happened in the six months between his exit meeting and the meeting last week when he was told the position was open, Fallabel said although he wasn’t given specifics, he has a pretty good idea.

“This was caused by a few girls on the team who went into the office complaining they were going to leave the school, some unhappy parents, and a person in charge (Hoffa) who doesn’t like me or my family.”

Fallabel said he also heard rumors that the Allentown Diocese was placing pressure on the Marian administration to fire him.

“That wouldn’t surprise me … I’ve been a thorn in their side forever,” he said.

“Doc,” as his peers and players called him, is known as a relentless disciplinarian. His no-nonsense approach and hard-driving practices, combined with his laid-back style at games, rubbed some people the wrong way.

“That’s the way I coach,” he said many times after a tough match. “I do the yelling and screaming at practices … then sit back and let the kids go out and play the games.”

Fallabel’s results on the court speak for themselves.

During his 18 seasons as the Fillies’ head coach, his team have compiled an incredible 343-56 record (. 860 winning percentage). Fallabel has led Marian to six Schuylkill League titles and 11 District 11 championships. His Fillies teams have reached the PIAA state semifinals 11 times, the PIAA title game seven times, and have captured state championships in 2003 and 2013.

With his resume, Fallabel would appear to be a prime candidate for numerous volleyball coaching positions throughout the region.

But at least at the present time, he said he isn’t interested in coaching anywhere else.

“I can say this ... my heart is at Marian,” he said. “There is no place else I will coach. I’m a Marian guy. I’ve already been approached by other schools to see if I would have any interest in coaching their teams. But I can’t see that happening. I am a Marian Catholic guy.”

A news release sent to the Time News from the Marian Athletics Department stated:

“At Marian Catholic High School, all coaching positions are year to year and we have opened the girls varsity volleyball head coach position to qualified candidates and are now taking applications.

“We hope to review, interview, and announce the successful candidate in the upcoming weeks.”

The release went on to say that interested candidates should send their resume to Athletic Director Pete Sanfilippo and the deadline to apply is June 11.

“Volleyball has been a huge part of my life, and it was ripped away from me,” Fallabel said. “So was I hurt? Yes.

“But I’m not bitter. I can’t be sorry about the way coaching here for more than two decades (he was an assistant coach at Marian before taking the head coaching job) has impacted my life, and about all the good people I’ve met. I had a great run.”

Fallabel said he wishes the new coach “all the success in the world.”

“There are some great kids and talented players returning,” he said. “I expect Marian’s outstanding volleyball tradition to continue.”