Lockport City School District officials announced Monday that new head coaches have been appointed for the varsity and junior varsity teams.
The change comes following a week-long review of the football program after “concerns” were raised with district officials.
Brandon Bratek is now serving as the varsity head coach, while Mitch Tomtishen will serve as the junior varsity head coach.
Both Bratek and Tomtishen have previously served as assistant coaches within the Lockport football program and bring experience and familiarity with the program, its student-athletes, and the Lockport school community to their new leadership roles, according to Denyel Beiter, public relations specialist for Lockport schools.
Former varsity head coach Trait Smith will serve as an assistant coach with the varsity football program, while Jeremy Brown will continue to serve as an assistant coach with the JV program.
Lockport Superintendent Mathis Calvin III said the updated coaching structure provides an opportunity for the football program to continue its season with a strong focus on student-athletes and their experience both on and off the field.
“Our football program is about much more than wins and losses,” Calvin said. “It is about providing young people with opportunities to learn, compete, build relationships, develop confidence, and grow as individuals. We have a tremendous group of student athletes, and we are excited to see them continue to grow and compete throughout the remainder of the season.”
Concerns came to the district’s attention earlier this fall and involved members of the football coaching staff, students and aspects of the operation of the football program, Beiter said in a statement released on Friday. In response, the district immediately began reviewing the circumstances, which included temporarily removing members of the football coaching staff from their coaching responsibilities while the review was taking place.
The Lockport City School District did not release specific details about the circumstances or the actions involving individual coaches. Beiter said that because the matter involves both students and personnel, district officials said they are limited in what they can share publicly due to student privacy protections and confidential personnel matters.
Calvin said Bratek and Tomtishen bring valuable experience to their new leadership roles and expressed confidence in their ability to lead the two programs. “Brandon and Mitch know our football program; they know our students, and they understand the importance of building a positive team culture, Calvin said. “I am confident in their ability to lead our Varsity and Junior Varsity programs, and I look forward to seeing our athletes continue to develop and succeed.”
The district is reviewing aspects of the football program, including operating procedures, training protocols and its communication structures, school officials have said.
“Our students are at the heart of everything we do,” Calvin said. “We want them to have the opportunity to compete, to learn, to build relationships with their teammates and coaches, and to be proud of being part of Lockport football. We are looking forward to the rest of the season and to the continued growth of our football program.”