High school basketball: Firelands hires hometown man Alan Januzzi

Alan Januzzi can spend a little more time at home.

But that doesn’t mean he’ll be spending time away from the hardwood.

Pending board approval June 9, Januzzi will be named Firelands’ new head boys basketball coach.

Januzzi is a Firelands district resident of 18 years. He spent the past four years as the head boys basketball coach at Lutheran West, part of 18 years of coaching experience. He also spent time as an assistant coach under Steve Lias at Firelands five years ago. Januzzi will replace former coach Brett Bartlett, who resigned to accept a coaching position at Big Walnut High School in Sunbury, Ohio.

‘When the position became available, I thought it was a good opportunity to get closer to home,’ Januzzi said. ‘Lutheran West, where I was, is a good 30-35 minute drive every day. It’s a great school district. … Just with the experience of knowing the Firelands community and the school, it was just a great opportunity.’

Januzzi is acclimated with the Firelands community, but he noted he still needs to spend time getting to know his team. Januzzi has already scheduled some practices and trips to Cleveland State, Tiffin and Mount Vernon Nazarene. He also hopes to lend a hand to the area’s youth program.

‘I’m trying to reach out to not only the kids in the high school program, but try to do some things with the junior high kids later in the summer, and in the fall, do some skills clinics with elementary kids,’ Januzzi said. ‘I’m just really trying to establish relationships with these kids, identify leaders and start to establish culture moving forward.’

Januzzi isn’t the only member of his family taking his talents to Firelands.

Januzzi’s son, Dominic, played off the bench under his father at Lutheran West last year. Dominic will transfer to Firelands for his junior year. As a resident of the Firelands area, Dominic will be eligible to play immediately.

‘I had a great four years at Lutheran West,’ Januzzi said. ‘It was very difficult to leave but at the same point in time, myself, my family, we’re just very excited about being able to contribute back to the community that’s been good to us for 18 years.’

Januzzi’s time at Lutheran West provides plenty of familiarity to the Patriot Athletic Conference. Lutheran West finished 14-2 in conference play atop the Stripes division last year. The 2014-15 Falcons finished 11-5 in conference play, third in the Stars division behind Keystone and Buckeye.

‘I’m familiar with Firelands because I’ve coached against them for a couple of years,’ Januzzi noted. ‘Certainly, we want to put together a program that’s going to be competitive from not only a basketball standpoint, but we really want to stress character development and an overall positive attitude with our kids to represent the school and the community in a very positive and productive way.’