MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — After eight years on the coaching staff at Weir High School, Frank Sisinni was promoted to head coach earlier this week. He has the task of replacing veteran mentor Tony Filberto, who led the Red Riders to seven playoff appearances in twelve seasons.
“I knew at some point Coach Filberto would probably be making this decision,” Sisinni said. “Unfortunately, we are going to miss him but at the same time, I knew he would probably be making that move and I would be ready to jump in.
“It has been a childhood dream of mine to lead my own program.”
Filberto’s retirement capped a 45-year coaching run spent mostly in Hancock County. The Red Riders have not had a losing season since 2013.
“Building a program and turning it around has kind of been his forte for years. To come in and instill philosophies and motivate the kids to get back to where they should be and get them moving in the right direction is probably what I have taken the most from him.
“The best thing to do is to adapt to what you have. So I have some things in mind but at the same time I am aware that we are only going to be able to do what our kids can handle.”
Sisinni was a letterman on Brooke’s 1987 Class AAA state championship team. He has been a coach for two decades at numerous stops including his alma mater, Steubenville and Weir. For the last eight years, Sisinni has coached the Red Riders’ secondary, quarterbacks, receivers and he has served as the co-defensive coordinator. Over the last six seasons, Weir has posted a record of 46-22.
“We want to get back to where we are going to be in it to the end. It started in 2014 and it continued through 2018. For us, it was a solid foundation that was built up through the middle school program and we got the benefit from a lot of that talent. A lot of times you get in a situation where you are around some superior athletes. We were fortunate to have Sebastian Spencer with us the last few years.”
Sisinni and his staff must replace a solid senior class but he is confident that several veteran returners can lead the way.
“We’ve got some kids who played a good bit last year. Levi Hostutttler (17 tackles), Jordan Brueck (44 tackles), Logan Walters (40 tackles), Ethan Cummins (57 tackles), Gage Reitter (26 tackles), Anthony Dimattes (790 yards of total offense) who got a lot of playing time with us last year, and we have a nice young running back in Jabari Bass (357 rushing yards). We’ve got some kids that understand what they need to do.”
Sisinni’s debut will come against county rival Oak Glen. The Golden Bears went 12-1 in 2019, advancing to the Class AA semifinals.
“We learned last year how talented that group can be.
“I commend Coach (Ted) Arneault and his staff for what they have done up there. They have turned that thing around pretty quick.”