By now, I am sure you are aware that "Bap" Manzini has passed away.

Ferguson Funeral Home in Belle Vernon was in charge of his arrangements.

To say that he was a real "character" in the mold of old school coaches like a Woody Hayes, a Bo Schembechler, or a Frank Kush is pretty appropriate.

Prior to his arrival at Thomas Jefferson, the Jaguars' football record was a cumulative 16-39-2.

He was able to establish a legacy at TJ that continues to this day as his former players and coaches still are active as assistant coaches with current head coach Bill Cherpak.

Bap spent 16 years as head coach at TJ accumulating 114 victories during his tenure.

He never had a losing season at TJ as a head coach, won the WPIAL AAA championship in 1980 and was a runnerup in 1971.

In addition, he had several unbeaten seasons as head coach at Bellmar (High School) and several years at TJ, where the loss of one game kept the Jaguars from the championship (pre-WPIAL playoffs).

Bap was an All-American selection in 1942 at St. Vincent (College), was drafted by and played for the Philadelphia Eagles, and was a head coach at St. Vincent, Bellmar and TJ.

He assisted at Elizabeth Forward, Belle Vernon and Yough.

He also coached baseball for a time.

His "gruff" exterior on the outside masked a man who was very much the opposite on the inside.

I learned this through many of our long, private conversations in his office when I was his assistant and a young head coach in the '80s.

He was a firstrate story teller and one always felt that you were learning something important when you were around him.

He was well respected by his coaching peers, whether it be on the high school or college level.

He was a "man's man."

Bap is a part of every player that ever wore a uniform for a team he coached.

He enriched our lives and I shall miss him.

George Wilson has served as TJ's head football coach, assistant football coach and is currently the Jaguars' defensive coordinator. He is retired from teaching.