Billy O’Gurek always believed he would find his father Bill’s longtime friend, and his former high school coach, Marian’s Stan Dakosty, back on the football sidelines one day after he stepped down last November following a remarkable 44-year run leading the program.

He figured that Schuylkill County’s all-time winningest coach, one who is among the elite in the state, would be involved with the game in some capacity.

And he was right.

Dakosty returned to the sidelines at Colgate University, where his son, Stan Jr., has been the head football coach for the past three years.

This season, the elder Dakosty joined his son’s staff as a senior analyst after he served on a part-time, volunteer basis last year. Last season, he either made the three-hour trek on Saturdays after a Friday night game, or followed the game via TV or social media.

It has been another major step in his storied football career with a special twist and personal benefits.

“I’m not surprised Coach Dakosty found himself back on the sidelines,” stressed O’Gurek, who is the current Marian head football coach. “He always said that his primary focus going forward was going to do whatever he could to help Colgate and the Colts. As a new head coach myself, he’s been available to me whenever I needed him for advice or counsel.”

For the elder Dakosty, getting back to his passion on a different level has been both exhilarating and challenging. Football at the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level is usually a 12-hour-plus day.

“It’s great to be involved with the program,” beamed Dakosty. “Stan told me about a job opening up, and it has been very exciting. It is a level that begins in the early morning and ends in the early evening. There is more to be accounted for than I realized. It’s truly a full-time commitment.”

Dakosty can account for the situation, as he spent 32 consecutive days in the New York state-based community. It was the longest he had been away in a football capacity, as well as any other situation from his Tamaqua home. He has planned to spend a little time back home before the Red Raiders host Villanova Saturday for a 6 p.m. kickoff.

“It has been a long time,” reflected Dakosty. “Being here this long is just part of the commitment behind the program. We also play at Penn and Lehigh down there, and that will give me a chance to get back.”

Stan, his son, knows it can be a long way away from home for his father, but his potential anxieties have been relieved with his new role and his three grandchildren.

“I think this is the longest extended period of time he’s away from the coal region,” noted the younger Dakosty. “But I think he’ll take being around football all day, and also seeing his grandkids everyday.

“I’ve joked that his title will be senior analyst and then also ‘evaluator of head coach,’ but in all seriousness, he’s always been a great support system, so to have him around the program every day is valuable for me, but most importantly, it’s huge for Colgate football. I’ve always hoped we could coach together, so I’m definitely excited we can make it happen for this season.”

For the elder Dakosty, keeping his coal region roots and spending some quality family time have been caveats of the new job.

“I like to feel like I am representing the coal region,” boasted Dakosty. “We have had some players come here, and we are trying to attract others. It has been great.

“You can take the coal region kid out of the area, but you can’t take the coal region out of the kid. The (Marian) Colts are always in the back of my mind.”

The younger Dakosty understands his father’s blue-collar work ethic, and relishes every moment with him, especially as a family.

“We have a tight family, and we’ve always had a strong bond,” said the Colgate head coach. “This experience is something that we’ll remember for sure. Over the years, the majority of our conversations during the season have been over the phone; now with him being here and with him seeing and experiencing everything first hand, his input and guidance is that much more impactful.

“It’s been great having him around. He has great perspective on the game, on managing a roster and running a program in general. He knows how to build a culture, and he’s been familiar with how we operate here, so it’s been a great transition both on and off the field. I definitely tap into his experience as much as I can.”

Coach Dakosty has a cavalcade of stories from his playing days at Marian under his father, but one will always stay with him that typifies his father’s demeanor and wisdom.

“There are a lot of stories with, ‘You had to be there’ moments, and ‘my teammates can attest to that,’” recalled Dakosty. “But I’d say my senior year in the district title game, we scored a TD at the end to win. But beforehand, he (father) almost got a flag for yelling at the refs, but then the next second he turned to the huddle and called the game-winning play like it was nothing.”

His father easily reciprocates the feelings.

“I am just so proud of him,” gushed Dakosty about his son, who served in various coaching roles since 2007 before he was named head coach in 2021. “He has been very thorough in his approach, and has gotten the most from many of his players.”

The elder Dakosty has recognized the many responsibilities of a college coach, and high degree of dedication behind their service on both the football and academic side.

Nestled in Hamilton, New York, Dakosty doesn’t have any regrets about accepting his new position. After he retired from Marian, Dakosty took a position as a ranger at a local golf course. But he knew it might not be the best fit.

“I knew I wasn’t fixing things up around my house because you should keep tools away from me,” he mused. “I had to do something, and maybe the ranger job was going to work for me.

“Then the football position became available for me, and I was back in football again.”

At age 72, Dakosty has found another football pipeline, and he is thoroughly enjoying every moment.

“I feel good,” exclaimed Dakosty. “I believe every day is a blessing. It is a lot of work, and it is all good. I really appreciate everything I have had, and the present as well.”

O’Gurek sees Dakosty’s position as his ideal one.

“Coach always has been a very loyal person,” said O’Gurek. “I am sure this is like heaven for him, football day and night on campus at Colgate.”

And Dakosty certainly deserves it.