Legendary coach’s return to West Allegheny high school football program drums up excitement

WEST ALLEGHENY, Pa. — West Allegheny football has a rich history, largely in part because of Bob Palko, and after seven seasons away, the legendary coach returned to the Indians’ sidelines.

The current players are thrilled to have one of the WPIAL’s winningest coaches leading their program once again.

During his 24 seasons with the Indians, Bob Palko won eight WPIAL titles and 217 games and when the head coaching job became available this past offseason, he knew it was once again time to return home.

In mid-February, the nine-time WPIAL champ returned to the program he led for just shy of a quarter century

“You can’t say it’s like I never left because I’ve been gone for seven seasons. But it is really good to be home,” Palko said.

Palko resigned in 2018, and then went on to coach Mt. Lebanon for four seasons.

He most recently was on Penn State’s staff.

Now he’s looking to bring the Indians back to the WPIAL championship.

They haven’t won a playoff game since 2018.

Palko’s players, especially his seniors, feel a responsibility to win for a coach with so much winning history.

After nearly 30 years of coaching in the WPIAL, Palko’s spark is still fully ignited

Kind of maybe born to do it, I guess? I don’t know; maybe that’s a good thing,” Palko said.

His players will be the first to tell you it surely is.

“It’s like having another family member who’s going to push you, to drive you to be the greatest you could ever be,” Mason Police, defensive back and wide receiver, said.

While Palko admits there’s a lot of work to be done, he couldn’t imagine being anywhere else

“While it’s here and while I’m healthy and while I can do it, let’s take another crack at this and see if we can build the program,” Palko said.

The Indians are starting the season off at 2-1

A big test for them tonight as they’re set to face off against Montour.

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