SELINSGROVE, (Pa.) - Former Selinsgrove High School and University of Rhode Island standout John Bush joins former Susquehanna University defensive linemen Denny Bowers and Casey Goff as members of the Crusader football coaching staff for the 2000 season.
In addition, current assistant baseball coach Sean Noonan will serve as an assistant coach for the Crusader men's and women's soccer teams during the upcoming season.
Bush is a 1995 graduate of Selinsgrove High School and started at offensive guard for four seasons at Division I-AA Rhode Island, where he was named Most Valuable Lineman in both the 1998 and 1999 seasons. He played for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League this summer and started five of the team's first six games before being released.
"We are very fortunate to have John on our staff," said 11th-year head coach Steve Briggs. "Our offensive linemen look up to him because of his success on the college and professional level, and I believe that he will be an outstanding coach now and in the future."
Bush will complete his bachelor's degree in communications from Rhode Island this fall.
Bowers (Westminster, Md./Westminster H.S.), who will work primarily with the tight ends, was named to the Lutheran Brotherhood Lutheran College All-American team in 1999 after being a second-team All-South selection by Don Hansen's Football Gazette for the second straight year. Bowers was also honored as a MAC Commonwealth League first-team All-Star in both 1998 and 1999 and was the 1999 MAC Defensive Lineman of the Year.
In addition to his prowess on the football field, Bowers finished his baseball career among the all-time leaders in batting average and was a 1998 MAC Commonwealth League first-team All-Star. He is scheduled to complete his bachelor's degree in mathematics this fall.
Goff (New Milford, Pa./Montrose H.S.) will assist with safeties and linebackers as he completes his degree in history. A three-year letterwinner on the defensive line at Susquehanna, Goff was healthy for the first time in his career last season and posted 27 tackles (12 for losses) and 2.5 sacks in eight games. He also led all defenders with three forced fumbles.
"As good as Denny and Casey were as players, they have brought that much more talent to the staff," said Briggs. "They have been committed and dedicated coaches from the moment camp opened."
Noonan (Pennsbury H.S.) will be primarily responsible for strength and conditioning and will assist the men's and women's soccer teams during home matches. He is a 1999 graduate of Shippensburg University with a bachelor's degree in elementary education with a minor in history and reading. In addition to his baseball duties, Noonan has helped coach the Selinsgrove Under-19 team in the NorCenPenn League.
"Sean's experience in strength and conditioning will be a big benefit to both our men's and women's programs," said men's and women's head soccer coach Jim Findlay. "His background in coaching is also a plus for our players."
A substitute teacher in the Selinsgrove, Shamokin and Shikellamy School Districts, Noonan and his wife, Laurie, an assistant athletic trainer at Susquehanna, reside in Selinsgrove.
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