John Banaszak

John Banaszak
Banaszak in 2017
Biographical details
Born (1950-08-24) August 24, 1950 (age 74)
Seven Hills, Ohio, U.S.
Playing career
Football
1972–1974Eastern Michigan
1975–1981Pittsburgh Steelers
1983–1984Michigan Panthers
1985Memphis Showboats
Position(s)Defensive end, defensive tackle
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1995–1998Washington & Jefferson (DC)
1999–2002Washington & Jefferson
2003–2007Robert Morris (ST/DL)
2008–2013Robert Morris (AHC/ST/DL)
2014–2017Robert Morris
Baseball
1995–1999Washington & Jefferson
Head coaching record
Overall46–42 (football)
56–84 (baseball)
TournamentsFootball
3–4 (NCAA D-III playoffs)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships

John Arthur Banaszak (born August 24, 1950) is an American football coach and former player. He was formerly the head football coach at Robert Morris University. Banaszak played in the National Football League (NFL) with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1975 to 1981. He is a three-time Super Bowl champion. Banaszak was a starter at right defensive end for the Steelers in Super Bowl XIII and Super Bowl XIV. He later played in the United States Football League (USFL), winning a championship as a starting defensive end for the Michigan Panthers in 1983. Banaszak played for Michigan in 1983 and 1984 and for the Memphis Showboats in 1985.

Benaszak served in the United States Marine Corps on active duty from 1969 to 1971 and in a reserve status from 1971 to 1975. He was inducted into the Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.[1]

After his football career, Banaszak owned a chain of oil change centers and worked for the Peters Township Recreation Department.[2] In 1995, Banaszak became defensive coordinator of Washington & Jefferson College football team.[2] He was promoted to head coach in 1999.[3] He was fired from W&J after publicly exploring other coaching jobs.[2] He left the college as the third-most winning coach in school history.[2]

Banaszak was an assistant football coach under Joe Walton at Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh.[4] He officially began his duties as head coach at Robert Morris in December 2013

Banaszak was hospitalized in Pittsburgh on April 23, 2009, in serious condition. It was first reported that he had suffered multiple aneurysms. That was later found to be incorrect and he may have suffered from an overdose of aspirin which was being taken for neck pain.[5]

Head coaching record

Football

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Washington & Jefferson Presidents (Presidents' Athletic Conference) (1999–2002)
1999 Washington & Jefferson 9–3 4–0 1st L NCAA Division III Second Round
2000 Washington & Jefferson 9–2 4–0 1st L NCAA Division III First Round
2001 Washington & Jefferson 11–1 4–0 1st L NCAA Division III Second Round
2002 Washington & Jefferson 9–3 5–0 1st L NCAA Division III Second Round
Washington & Jefferson: 38–9 17–0
Robert Morris Colonials (Northeast Conference) (2014–2017)
2014 Robert Morris 1–10 1–5 T–6th
2015 Robert Morris 4–7 2–4 6th
2016 Robert Morris 2–9 1–5 T–5th
2017 Robert Morris 2–9 0–6 7th
Robert Morris: 8–34 3–19
Total: 46–42

References

  1. ^ "2017 USMC Sports Hall of Fame: John Arthur Banaszak".
  2. ^ a b c d "Former Steeler fired as W&J coach: Uncertainty spelled doom for Banaszak". Associated Press. December 14, 2002. Archived from the original on March 29, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2012 – via HighBeam Research.
  3. ^ "Presidents Football 2009" (PDF). Washington & Jefferson College. 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 2, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2010.
  4. ^ Emert, Rich (October 30, 2006). "Q&A: John Banaszak: A three-time Super Bowl champion with the Steelers, he stays in the game as a college coach". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
  5. ^ Fabregas, Luis (April 25, 2009). "Former Steelers DE Banaszak recovering". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Archived from the original on September 6, 2012. Retrieved August 2, 2011.