Following his sudden dismissal as head football coach of Susquehanna Township last week, the community came together Tuesday night to support Joe Headen.
Students, locals, and current and former football players stood up for Headen, a seasoned coach who is widely admired for his professionalism and leadership, during a standing-room-only school board meeting.
After Susquehanna Township officials listed Headen’s position as open on the school’s website on November 27, they asked the school board to reinstate him.
Mason Lubold, a senior and varsity football captain, stated that his success as a head coach is measured by the number of players and students he has coached and raised over the years, not by the number of games he has won.
Lubold also said Headen believes the school board will change its mind because he loves, respects, and reveres the school and its kids.
You have to show us that you love this school and this community. Supporting Coach Headen’s application for the 2025–2026 football season is the only way to demonstrate it, he stated.
Many in the district, particularly those in the football program and high school football fans throughout central Pennsylvania, were taken aback by the decision. Additionally, it sparked a Headen-supportingChange.org petition, which as of Tuesday night had amassed over 2,700 signatories.
Headen told PennLive on Monday that last month’s end-of-year report with the athletic director did not occur, even though the district renews coaches contracts every year. Before the head coach discusses any possible changes to his coaching staff, it is customary to assess the season with the acting AD, in this case David Archer.
Although the board approved Lance Deane’s appointment as the district’s athletic director on November 18, the former CD East football coach has not yet begun his duties.
According to Headen, Willis had a final talk with him on November 27 and informed the players and parents on December 2.
The openness of the school board was questioned by speakers, including Kristen Evans, a parent and the mother of quarterback Torin Evans. Before making their choice, she questioned the board members if they had consulted with any of the players.
You have fired him without providing a good cause. According to Evans, the way this has been handled is blatantly insulting.
Mike Kern, a football parent, listed a number of accomplishments under Headen’s direction and said he has devoted his life to the football program. According to Kern, the fact that almost 70 players participated this year was evidence of the robust curriculum Headen developed. He led the Indians to a season with an 8-3 record.
Kern listed 18 players, including offensive and defensive MVPs, as 2024 conference all-stars as one of Headen’s accomplishments. He added that the class of 2025 includes two Division I prospects.
According to Kern, Coach Headen has given millions of dollars in free or heavily discounted college football and school attendance to many players throughout his more than two decades in the position.
At Tuesday’s reorganization board meeting, about 20 people spoke. Since the reinstatement of Headen was not on the agenda, the board did not vote on the matter. School boards are prohibited by Pennsylvania law from voting on matters that are not on the agenda.
The STSD Administration issued the following statement on Monday: The district has advertised the Head Football Coach position for the 2025–2026 campaign. We are appreciative of Coach Headen’s contributions to our football team over the years and his years of service. As part of the district’s dedication to guaranteeing a rigorous selection process, Coach Headen is welcome to apply for the role together with other applicants. As we move forward and continue to be committed to giving our student-athletes the best opportunity, we are grateful for the community’s support.
Superintendent Dr. Tamara Willis highlighted the stark disparity between the district’s problems during the meeting, pointing out the amount of support for the district’s expansion compared to the attention Headen has received.
According to her, the district is unable to construct a new elementary school to handle growing enrollment since township people rejected the referendum on tax changes.
In light of that, I must say that I hope we will focus the same intensity and attention that united us tonight as we redouble our efforts to obtain funds for a new school, she said.
After the meeting, Headen expressed his pride in the young men, people, and support, saying he has dedicated 40% of his life to the region.
I do believe that everything will sort itself out. That’s how I must be. I still aspire to teach and guide these young men and women. “I sincerely hope the board takes some time to think things through,” he said.
Before taking over at Susquehanna Township in 2003, Headen worked the sidelines at a number of Mid-Penn programs, including Cumberland Valley, Harrisburg, and his alma mater, Bishop McDevitt.
Before the 2024 season concluded after a District 3 4A quarterfinal loss to Twin Valley, the former Bloomsburg University linebacker recorded 124 victories and led the Indians to more than a dozen postseason appearances.
Headen, a teacher as well, joined the coaching staff of the Big 33 in 2025 and is currently a District 3 Director for the Pennsylvania State Football Coaches Association.
He also serves as the chair of the PSFCA’s recently established Minority Advisory Council.
Throughout his career, Headen was honored to speak at numerous national coaching clinics. In 2013, his well-known Hold the Rope lecture was aired on NFL Network before Super Bowl LVII.
Stories by
Sue Gleiter
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