Southmoreland turns to former Youth star Dustin Shoaf, 23, to lead football program

By means of: Bill Beckner Jr.


Tuesday January 21, 2025 | 10:19 PM

Dustin Shoaf hasn't had a transfer like that since college.

Just a few months ago, the former standout running back lent his expertise as an assistant coach to Jeannette, who made a surprising run to the WPIAL Class A semifinals.

Now the 23-year-old is head coach at Southmoreland.

“Things are happening quickly,” Shoaf said.

Shoaf, the all-time running back who had a five-year college career at Mercyhurst, was hired Tuesday night to fill a vacancy left when Tim Bukowski resigned just over a month ago.

Shoaf was approved by an 8-0 vote.

“To gain experience, you have to throw some mud and see if it sticks,” Shoaf said. “I owe a lot to (Jeannette coach) Tommy Paulone, one of my best supporters. He told me to take a shot.”

It turns out Bukowski almost returned as coach.

He and Shoaf were both given a second interview.

Bukowski said parents and players urged him to return, prompting him to interview again.

But the district went with Shoaf, a teacher at Yough, who brings a year of coaching experience from Jeannette, where he learned from another rising head coach in Paulone.

“I know what it's like,” Paulone said. “Dustin is going to be a great coach.”

Shoaf is a teacher at Youth and also works on his family's farm. He coached offensive linemen at Jeannette.

Despite his light resume, Shoaf believes he is ready to become a head coach.

“The experience I have as a high school coach, college player and teacher aligns with what I want to do at Southmoreland,” Shoaf said. “Ultimately, I hope this opens the door for other young coaches.”

Shoaf rushed for 5,053 yards at Youth and claimed the WPIAL rushing title twice. He ran for a school-record 428 yards on 43 carries in a 49-38 win over Southmoreland in 2017.

“Dustin is an energetic young man who brings a lot of enthusiasm to our school and football program,” Southmoreland athletic director Brian Pritts said. “We believe he will be an excellent fit for our student-athletes.”

Bukowski, the man who helped turn around a struggling program, resigned in December due to a lack of government support after his third season leading the Scotties. He was with the program for a total of seven years.

“It was an emotional roller coaster,” Bukowski said. “I think about the guys… the seniors were now freshmen when I got the job. Either way, they'll have a good coach and a good team.

“It was seven good years. We have turned the program around.”

Bukowski turned down a job as a Class 4A head coach when he decided to try to get his job back.

He is now exploring other coaching options.

Southmoreland made the playoffs four straight seasons with Bukowski on the staff. Last season it finished 7-4 and was 17-16 under his watch.

The Scotties are still looking for their first playoff victory in school history.

Bukowski, who was on the staff when Dave Keefer was head coach and led the initial revival, helped the team reach the playoffs for the first time in 40 years.

Southmoreland had not won seven games in one season in thirty years.

A point of contention in Bukowski's initial departure was the co-op with Geibel, an agreement that allows student-athletes from Geibel to play football at Southmoreland. Geibel does not have a football team.

The co-op appears to still be in effect, at least for another year, when another two-year enrollment cycle rolls around.

Bukowski said some parents were upset about the co-op, which started in 2014, and complained to the board about issues with playing time and players being “recruited” to come to Geibel.

Bukowski denied these claims.

He was a six-time WPIAL championship-winning coordinator at Clairton, where he also won four PIAA titles.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at [email protected].

Keywords: Southmoreland