The McKeesport girls basketball team has been confronted with an unexpected development this week, following the decision of head coach Amy Gumbert to step away from her coaching duties. Gumbert, who had notably guided the Tigers to the WPIAL Class 5A semifinals in her first two seasons, departed from the team on Tuesday, citing reasons that have not been fully disclosed. The circumstances surrounding her departure, specifically whether she resigned or was asked to leave, remain unclear, as efforts to obtain a comment from her proved futile.
In light of Gumbert’s departure, the school’s athletic director, Charley Kiss, promptly took action to address the situation for the upcoming game against Connellsville, which unfortunately had to be cancelled. Subsequently, football coach Matt Miller assumed the role of acting coach in Gumbert’s absence. Miller, who had previously steered the Tigers football team to the WPIAL Class 4A final last season, brings a wealth of coaching experience and is committed to offering his expertise to the girls’ basketball team. In addition, Miller, whose daughter, Madison, is a senior member of the team, expressed a personal investment in assisting during this period of transition.
Looking ahead, Miller foresees his official appointment as the interim coach following the school board meeting on Thursday. His coaching team, consisting of Ryan Shank, Nick LoNigro, and Marcella Barry, all holding positions as school district employees, are set to provide crucial support to ensure the team’s success. Despite the unexpected turn of events, Miller remains sanguine about the team’s potential, underscoring the cohesive and seasoned roster of seven seniors who have been playing together for a number of years.
The news of Gumbert’s departure has taken many by surprise, given her remarkable track record over the past three seasons and the Tigers’ standing as formidable contenders in the WPIAL and PIAA Class 5A championships this season. Gumbert’s prior accomplishments include steering the team to the PIAA semifinals in 2022 and the PIAA quarterfinals last season, amassing an admirable career record of 59-14. As a McKeesport alumna who played a pivotal role on the school’s sole WPIAL title team in 1998 alongside Swin Cash, Gumbert’s departure signifies the conclusion of an era for the Tigers’ girls’ basketball program.
In the wake of these developments, the team is poised to regroup under Miller’s direction and strive for success as they navigate this transitional period. The community, alongside the players, are expected to undergo a gamut of emotions as they acclimate to the new coaching arrangements. As the season progresses, it will be intriguing to observe how the team responds to these changes under the stewardship of Coach Miller and the unwavering support of the coaching staff.
For additional sports news, Brad’s work is typically featured in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. For the time being, he can be reached via email at [email protected].