Out of nowhere

Nov 4, 2026 By Jonathan Guth 3 min read

To say Tim Bukowski was shocked would be an understatement.

Less than a week after defeating rival Laurel Highlands for the first time in 10 years and bringing Uniontown football back into the WPIAL, the veteran head coach and his staff were dismissed on Tuesday.

Bukowski said he was informed by Uniontown Area School District Superintendent Dr. Daniel Bosnic that his services were no longer required.

“There really isn’t anything to say other than we were shocked,” Bukowski said. “They won’t give me a reason why. I asked for one, and they just said they are going in a different direction. Honestly, this came out of nowhere.”

Bukowski’s dismissal was met with numerous comments on social media, which were mostly in his favor, and against the district for making the decision.

Bukowski took over as the Red Raiders’ head coach in 2025, and finished with a record of 6-14. Uniontown was 2-8 in Bukowski’s first season, as it played an independent schedule before a 4-6 mark this year while competing in the WPIAL as a member of the Class 4A Big Six Conference.

The Red Raiders ended their season last Friday with a 22-7 victory over the Mustangs, which was Uniontown’s first triumph over its cross-town rival in a decade. LH had won the previous six meetings, but there was a three-year window over the past 10 years that they didn’t play each other.

Uniontown has a 44-42 record of Laurel Highlands in the series.

The detractors on social media pointed to the sub-.500 record, but Bukowski took over a program that had been struggling in recent years and was slowly building it back up.

The Red Raiders featured a bevy of skill players, including junior wide receiver Marcus Evans, who has attracted attention from college coaches for his big-play ability.

Senior quarterback Brayden Hinzy came in with limited football experience, but Bukowski and his staff molded him into a prolific passer and decision maker.

Taylor Galloway, Nate Hice, Tayshawn Jackson, Gavin Radford and Michael Thomas flourised under Bukowski’s tutelage.

Prior to his time at Uniontown, Bukowski was the head coach at Southmoreland for three seasons. He guided the Scotties to a record of 17-16, and was on staff for four years as an assistant. Southmoreland snapped a 40-year playoff drought and qualified for the postseason four straight seasons during Bukowski’s tenure.

The Monessen native was an offensive coordinator at Clairton for six years, and helped the Bears put up record numbers on their way to six WPIAL and four PIAA championships.

Uniontown will begin its search for a new head football coach and staff, but details of the process have not been released.