Susquehanna Township residents are demonstrating their support for keeping longstanding head football coach Joe Headen on staff.
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Headen’s position was advertised as open on the school’s website on November 27 by Susquehanna Township officials, and applications were due on Friday.
Headen Monday stated, “The superintendent informed me that she does not have board support to bring me back.” I’m hopeful they’ll change their minds and let me finish this the way I want.
A brief statement from the STSD Administration was issued Monday after efforts were made to reach Superintendent Dr. Tamara Willis for comment:
The head football coach position for the 2025–2026 season has been posted by the district. 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.
Headen claimed that last month’s end-of-year report with the athletic director did not take place, despite the fact that coaching contracts are renewed 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.
On November 18, the board approved Lance Deane, a former football coach at CD East, to take over as Township’s athletic director. But Deane hasn’t begun working in his new role yet.
According to Headen, Willis had a last talk with him on Wednesday and informed the players and parents on Monday following the holiday.
“I hope the community has enough support for the board to take another look,” Headen added. On Tuesday, the administration building will host a school board reorganization meeting at 6 p.m.
In honor of Headen, who led the Indians to an 8-3 season, the AChange.org competition was launched.
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.
Eric Epler can be followed on Twitter and X at @threejacker.
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