Fischer appointed new head football coach at Pottstown

POTTSTOWN >> For the second time in two seasons, Pottstown’s football program will be led by a new head coach.

Mark Fischer, the offensive coordinator at Phoenixville the past two seasons, was voted in as the new head coach at Pottstown’s school board meeting Monday night, ending the school’s coaching search after the departure of Gary Rhodenbaugh.

“I’m very excited,” Fischer said. “Pottstown drew me in. I love the close community they have there. When I was at Phoenixville two years ago and we played at Pottstown, I just saw all the community members walking in and how supportive they were. That was one thing that stuck with me and made me want to apply.”

Fischer becomes the third head coach to lead the Trojans in as many seasons. He replaces Rhodenbaugh, who resigned after one season after the Trojans struggled in a 2-9 season (1-4 Pioneer Athletic Conference). Rhodenbaugh had served as the Trojans’ offensive coordinator the year prior.

Teamwork and commitment will be one of the ideals he’ll try to instill. Preparing his kids for life lessons: the main idea he wants his team to buy into.

“I want the kids to be successful in life now, and after high school. I’m going to try and teach them life lessons that I learned in preparing them for situations not only for Friday nights but also in the classroom,” Fischer said.

School and community pride also rank high up on his priorities.

“I want us to get out into community and be supportive of other sports at the high school, whether it be going to games or supporting them in other ways. I’d also like us to get out and participate in community service. I think that’s very important as well,” Fischer said.

Fischer brings a wealth of coaching experience to a program that reached the District 1 Class 3A playoffs two seasons ago. Fischer began his coaching career 12 years ago for Exeter’s junior high team. Following that stint he moved to Wissahickon where he coached special teams, receivers, defensive backs and the junior varsity offense for three seasons – two of those seasons Wissahickon advanced to the first round of the district playoffs (2006-2007).

From there he spent his next three seasons at Avon Grove, serving as the special teams coordinator for the 2009 squad that went 11-2 before serving as the defensive coordinator and running backs coach the next two seasons at Pequea Valley under now-Phoenixville head coach Evan Breisblatt. He was appointed as the defensive coordinator for Phoenixville following Breisblatt’s hiring in 2014, before serving the past two seasons as the offensive coordinator.

Breisblatt was thrilled upon hearing his assistant’s promotion.

“I told Evan about a day or two after I was offered. He was great,” Fischer said. “He congratulated me and he was excited for me and the opportunity I had to coach in the PAC.”

Prior to coaching, Fischer played football at North Penn. Following high school, he played football at Albright College for three years as a defensive back. He currently teaches Special Education at Phoenixville Area High School. Fischer lives in Malvern with his wife Gabija and two children, Clyde and Evelyn.