This season the Galena Pirates welcomed a new coach to their talented staff. Coach Michael Smigelski is a great addition to the team with his defense-primary input. He is tasked with handling one of the most important parts of a defense; the defensive line.

After Mike Hyland left the Pirate organization, the coaching staff was left with a large hole to fill, and it seems that Coach Smigelski may help with that. He pushes the defensive line to be smart, yet aggressive. “I think he is an amazing addition to the team,” said senior Keaton Bauer’23. “He brings a lot of experience and a wide range of drills for the linemen. He’s super understanding and a great coach.” 

Coach Smigelski started his coaching in 2016 at Lancaster, where he coached football and track and field. He worked under Hall of Fame Coach John Hoch during this time. “I learned a lot from Coach Hoch in Lancaster and now I’m excited to learn from the coaches here in Galena,” he said. “Being a new coach at a school can be nerve racking, but Coach Freed has made me feel really welcome and appreciated. Galena has a great football history and I’m excited to keep the winning tradition going.” His experience and football knowledge has certainly helped the team this season.

In their second game against the Madison Trojans, Smigelski’s defensive line forced and recovered a fumble on the first play of the game. They also had countless quarterback pressures and ended many plays at the line of scrimmage, forcing the Trojans to pass. Finding coaches with deep knowledge of football are hard to find, but it seems that the Galena Pirates have discovered the buried treasure with Coach Smigelski.