The Pleasant Valley school board has approved the hiring of Matt Kosciolek as its next head football coach.

Kosciolek, a graduate of Marian Catholic, has been an assistant coach under Tom McCarroll at Lehighton the past five seasons.

The Bears needed a new mentor when Mark Versuk stepped down. Versuk was PV’s coach the past two seasons, compiling a record of 10-11.

Kosciolek played his high school football at Panther Valley, Palmerton, and Marian before attending Shippensburg University. He led the Blue Bombers in rushing in 2000, running for 582 yards.