Frazier hires Battaglini as new football coach

Frazier will be headed in a different direction for the 2025 high school football season.
Tony Battaglini was hired as the Commodores new head coach at the school’s board meeting Monday night by a unanimous vote, taking over for Mike Shannon.
The 36-year-old Battaglini is a 2006 Frazier graduate, who was a four-year starter and two-time all-conference player for the Commodores. He played under head coach Larry Wilson.
Battaglini went on to play wide receiver and special teams for four years at California University of Pa., and from 2008 to 2010, he appeared in all 40 Vulcans games.
Battaglini is a former member of Frazier’s coaching staff under Mike Steeber, and went on to be an assistant football coach at Belle Vernon under Matt Humbert, and at Thomas Jefferson under Bill Cherpak since 2015. The Jaguars have won six WPIAL titles and two PIAA championships with Battaglini on staff.
“We are thrilled to have Coach Battaglini at Frazier,” said Frazier Athletic Director Mandy Hartman. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience and, more importantly, he knows what it takes to be a true champion.”
Battaglini also played under John Luckhardt, and coaches such as Mike Kellar, Mike Jacobs and Walt Harris while at Cal U.
The Commodores were 2-8 this past season and 1-9 in each of the two previous seasons under Shannon for a combined mark of 4-26.
In other sports-related hirings, the board approved Ron Holp as assistant baseball coach, Devin Judy as volunteer baseball coach, John Ciferno as volunteer wrestling coach and Isabella Kudyba and Julian Mcuuoli as volunteer track and field coaches.