Fresh, but familiar, faces step in to lead Council Rock South, Upper Moreland football

Only 10.2 miles separate Upper Moreland High School and Council Rock South High School but the two share a common interest — football coaches.

The two area high schools recently announced new football head coaches. Council Rock South has selected CJ Szydlik, who had spent the last four years at Upper Moreland High School where he replaced Adam Beach, who guided the Bears from 2005-10 and again from 2013-17.

Beach, who spent his time away being an assistant coach at Pope John Paul High School in Royersford, will return to Upper Moreland again.

"I think its a good move," said Szydlik, who was 21-20 at Upper Moreland. "This one is for my family. I've got daughters who are interested in only playing basketball at Council Rock South. I've got some nephews there, but that won't be a problem."

Szydlik's name should be familiar. He previously was in charge at Neumann-Goretti (2011-13) and Jenkintown (2010).

His father, Charlie, is a former Neumann-Goretti athletic director and was head football coach at Neumann-Goretti (2014) and the now-closed North Catholic (2004-09). C.J. Szydlik served as an assistant at both schools.

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"Those were good times," C.J. Szydlik said. "He will be around. He loves football. I will definitely be looking at his mentoring me."

Beach went 45-24 in his first stint, and Upper Moreland went 10-2 in his last season with the Bears. They won the Suburban One League American Conference title with a 6-0 mark and reached the second round of the District One Class 5A playoffs.

"I feel good about everything," Beach said. "I'm looking forward to getting back in there."

Szydlik and Beach know each other. They are not close friends but they both respect each other.

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"We will speak when we see each other," Beach said. "I don't have anything against him, and I'm sure he feels the same say. This move isn't anything that I had planned. It's just something that came up."

Said Szydlik: "I completely congratulate him on getting the job. I know he's going to go out there and give it his best."

Both men were perfect for their position.

"We were looking at getting someone in here who could relate with the players we have," said Council Rock South Athletic Director Scott Layer. "I think we've found our guy. I'm looking forward to seeing what he does."

Excitement seems to express the way Upper Moreland feels about Beach.

"He's a good man, a good coach," said Upper Moreland Athletic Director Sean Feeley. "I'm very pleased with our selection. "

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Szydlik and Beach have already met with their teams. In fact, both have them working in the weight room. Szydlik said he has about 73 youngsters; Beach said he has about 60.

"I know CJ used the shotgun a lot," Beach said. "We're going to be up under center more. I think that's the best thing for us. Defensively, we're going to be in a 4-4."

Szydlik said he will be looking at doing things differently at Council Rock South.

"We're going to spread it out a bit," he said. "I think that will work out for us. It's kind of the way the game is going. Defensively, we're going to be aggressive. We are going to play."

Council Rock South was 2-8 last season, while Upper Moreland was 7-4

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This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: PIAA football: Council Rock South, Upper Moreland hire head coaches