Josh O’Shea understands why some people might think he’s a little crazy.
Being a high school head coach in one sport demands considerable time and attention.
Why would anyone want to put in the time and effort to run two programs?
“Coaching is what I love to do,” O’Shea said. “I’m confident I can do it. I understand there are going to be a lot more meetings and emails. And, of course, it’s going to require more of my time. But I look at this all as a positive.”
What O’Shea, 37, is looking at is being head coach in baseball and football at Tinley Park.
The last person I can recall to coach both sports is Jerry Munda in the 1980s at T.F. North. Let’s just say the cowboy hat-wearing Munda achieved moderate success.
When Nick Johnston resigned as football coach in November, O’Shea decided to apply for the gig.
In December it was made official: Tinley Park named O’Shea its football coach.
Most observers figured O’Shea was going to relinquish his baseball coaching duties, which he’s held for three seasons.
Think again.
“I’m going to try and do both for as long as I can,” O’Shea said. “I love coaching baseball. To get the chance to be a head coach for football is something I didn’t want to regret not trying when I get into my 50s. I’m super excited.”
So is the Titan community. Social media was abuzz when the news of O’Shea was the new football coach.
Tinley Park athletic director Mike Mongan has no doubt O’Shea is the right man for the job.
“Josh is going to be great,” Mongan said. “The kids love him. He knows how to get through to kids and make playing sports fun. Look what he’s done to our baseball program.”
What O’Shea has done on the baseball diamond is lead to the Titans to 71 victories in three seasons, posting win totals of 21, 27 and 23. Before that, the Titans had only two 20-win seasons in program history.
The football program has been steady under Johnston, qualifying five times for the playoffs in the past eight seasons.
However, the Titans haven’t advanced beyond the quarterfinals since winning the Class 4A state championship in 1986.
Can the Titans go to the next level?
“Josh is the guy that can do it,” Mongan said.
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O’Shea was varsity assistant for Johnston last season after spending the previous two with the sophomore team.
Senior Ryan Zientara has had O’Shea as a football and baseball coach.
Zientara said it’s more than just knowledge and commitment that has makes O’Shea a perfect candidate to coach both.
“He knows how to relate to kids,” Zientera said. “You enjoy playing for him. He has a great attitude about life and sports. He’s very approachable. He knows how to bring out the best in each individual player. I have no doubt he’s going to be a success coaching both sports.”
No doubt it helps that O’Shea can relate to the rigors of being a two-sport athlete, which he was at Bremen.
He understands neither sport offers an offseason, not with year-round conditioning, winter camps and summer commitments.
How does he plan to juggle all of those responsibilities?
“During the summer I’m going to focus on football,” O’Shea said. “Offseason weightlifting for football and baseball overlap at times, so that won’t be a problem. When it is, I’ll have someone from my staff to look over things. I have great support all around to do this.”
That includes the support of his wife, Katie, and their two children. It’s impossible to pull off this feat without an understanding spouse.
“She knows it’s something I’ve always wanted to do, which is coach football, and she’s behind this,” O’Shea said. “She loves coming to games with our son and daughter. She understands I have to try it. I love coaching and I love Tinley Park.”
This could be a love affair that lasts.
Twitter @disabato