Head football coach Mike Mischler has announced that four key members of the varsity coaching staff, and two long-time staff assistants will not return to the Cathedral Prep sidelines in 2020. The changes occur following a span of six seasons in which the Ramblers enjoyed one of the most successful runs in Cathedral Prep Football history.
The coaching staff losses include Mike Krahe – defensive coordinator/linebackers (7 seasons), Jeremiah Conley – offensive coordinator/quarterbacks (6 seasons), Jason Ladouceur – wide receivers (6 seasons), and Chris King – strong safeties (5 seasons). The two staff members who are retiring are Jim Bomba – Director of Football Operations (4 seasons) and Mike Alexa – head statistician (24 seasons).
While changes occur every off-season on most high school staffs, it is rare to lose two coordinators at the same time. The last time it occurred at Cathedral Prep was following the 2013 season. “What makes these changes even more difficult than just the obvious logistical challenges of revamping our offense and defense is that I consider all of these men to be very dear friends. It will be tough not seeing them on the sideline next season,” remarked Coach Mischler.
Mischler continued, “I’d like to publicly thank Mike, Jeremiah, Jason, Chris, Jim and Mike for for their time, dedication and sacrifices to the Cathedral Prep Football Program. We would not have such a great program here at our school without the great work of our talented and selfless football staff. “
“More specifically, I would like to thank Coach Krahe and Coach Conley for their commitment and dedication as coordinators. I believe that our incredible success these past six seasons can be mostly attributed to our players, however I can say unhesitatingly that we would not have had the unimaginable results we have seen without the coaching talents of these two fine men.”
Mike Krahe joined the Ramblers’ staff in 2013 as the defensive line coach. He came from Lake Erie College where he served at the defensive coordinator. He was promoted to defensive coordinator at Prep in 2014 and ran a defense that was physical and suffocating. It was no coincidence that his joining the staff timed up with one of the most remarkable runs in state and school history. Prep went to four straight state title games, winning it all in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Coach Krahe graduated from Cathedral Prep in 2000 and was an integral member of the 1999 state runner-up team who ended up #2 in PA and #9 in the nation. He played DE for the Ramblers and recorded 9.5 sacks that season. Coach Krahe will stay in coaching next season on a part-time basis joining former Rambler assistant Mark Brook’s staff at Northwestern coaching running backs.
Jeremiah Conley joined the Ramblers’ staff in 2014 as the quarterbacks coach. He previously had coached at Allegheny College and Louisburg College (JUCO) as well as in high school. Following the 2014 season, he was promoted to offensive coordinator and called one of the most high-powered offenses in Prep history. His offensives set multiple school and even D-10 records. Like Coach Krahe, his joining the staff timed up with one of the most remarkable runs in state and school history. Prep went to four straight state title games, winning it all in 2016, 2017 and 2018. He was proud to coach quarterbacks Joe Mischler, Tim Beveridge, Nick Wisinski, Collin Johnson, Regan Schleicher and Tamar Sample among other while at Prep. Coach Conley went to Conneaut Lake High School and played football collegiately at Thiel College where he played fullback. Coach Conley is retiring from coaching for now but may return in the future. He is currently a teacher at Mother Teresa Academy.
Additional Quotes from Coach Mischler:
On Coach Jason Ladouceur and Coach Chris King - "Both Coach Ladouceur and Coach King were valuable members of the staff during the same time period. They were excellent position coaches, but even better men. They will be missed greatly" Coach Ladouceur is busy as the new Principal at St. George and Coach King wants to coach his son's youth football team in the parochial system.
On Jim Bomba - "I would like to thank Jim for all he has done for the program most recently as the Director of Football Operations, but also as a former booster president and father of a former player, coach and friend - Jeff Bomba. It will be very difficult to not see either of them on Friday nights. It is impossible to measure the impact that the two of them had on our football program."
On MIke Alexa - "Finally, it is difficult to show true appreciation for a man who I've worked with for 28 years and known for 38 years. Mike gave 34 years of himself to this football program as a former coach for 10 seasons and as the head statistician for an additional 24 seasons. Although you never saw him on Friday night's he was the one working in the press box when the stadium had emptied and the lights were turned off. It's simply incredible all he did for this team!"
NOTE: Coach Mischler will announce the new members of his coaching staff later this week.