By Joe Pinchot

Herald Staff Writer

There have been rumors swirling around Hermitage that the football coach is on his way out, although some long-time observers hear those rumors every year.

Hermitage School Board members declined the opportunity to confirm or quell them Monday after four players begged for Frank Antuono and his assistants to keep their jobs.

Board President Laurie Ann Biblis said she had no comment. Solicitor Roger R. Shaffer recommended that nothing be said because it is a personnel issue.

Superintendent Dr. Daniel Bell said last week that no action had been taken concerning the football program.

Student athletes Nicholas Fustos and Ross Brenneman, both junior two-way linemen, told the board that whatever problems there were in the past have been cleared up.

“We wish to keep them,” Nicholas said of the coaching staff. “Our current players have been here since they first came. We’re the product of our everything they’ve instilled in the football program.”

Antuono was hired in May 2007, and coached his first game in the 2007-08 season.

Ross said the players have become close to Antuono and his staff, and Antuono has preached that the team is a family.

Junior Reese Swatsworth, another two-way lineman, called Antuono an “amazing person” who helped him overcome physical problems.

“He’s taught me more about playing the game of football than any coach I’ve ever had,” said junior Aaron Tomko, a wide receiver and defensive back. “He’s an all-around great guy. Everyone on this football team loves him to death.”

Nicholas said the football coaches did not put him and his teammates up to appearing before the board.

Antuono has been no stranger to criticism, but school officials in the past have reacted differently to it. After Antuono’s first year, some board members and administrators made the unusual move of publicly backing Antuono over criticism of his 2-8 record. They asked people to give him time to build a winning program.