Andreassi

KARNS CITY — The timing could not have been better.

Eight years after he ended a seven-year run as Karns City varsity boys basketball coach, Steve Andreassi is taking over as head coach of KC's girls basketball program.

Andreassi, 54, accepted the job in September. Dave Kerschbaumer stepped down as head coach after 12 seasons due to job commitments. He guided the Gremlins to 91 wins in 106 games and four District 9 titles over the past four seasons.

“I never wanted Dave to quit. He just couldn't do it anymore because of his job,” Andreassi said. “But I love this opportunity. I'm excited about this opportunity.”

Andreassi served as a volunteer assistant coach under Kerschbaumer the past two years. Mike Hegedus, another assistant, will remain on staff.

Andreassi's daughter, Livia, will be a starter on this year's team. She stuck back an offensive rebound at the buzzer to give KC a 36-35 win over Moniteau in last year's District 9 championship game.'

“That's a moment I'll never forget,” Andreassi admitted. “I never would have guessed I'd be named head coach a few months later.

“I'd be lying if I said having the chance to coach Livia in her senior year wasn't part of the reason I took this job. But it's only part of the reason. I love the tradition of this program and our goals are not going to change. We want to continue being a championship program.”

The Karns City girls basketball team has won 10 district crowns over the past 15 years. It won the state championship in 2000.

Andreassi has another daughter, Julia, in eighth grade this year and playing basketball.

“He's excited about coaching his kids and he's not planning on going anywhere,” KC athletic director Brian Markle said of Andreassi. “That's one of the reasons we hired him. We want the continuity in the program.

“Steve was on the coaching staff of the 2000 team that won the state title. He knows what it takes to get there. He's a graduate of this school and he's proud of this school.”

Andreassi graduated from Karns City in 1982. He coached the KC boys to a district title in 2005.

“Just life in general made me step down as boys coach when I did,” Andreassi said. “I had one daughter in elementary school and another in kindergarten at the time. I couldn't coach full-time anymore.”

He did return to coaching shortly thereafter at the elementary and junior high level with the girls basketball program.

Andreassi said it “was a way to stay involved” with the game he loved.

“Steve played football here under coach Mel Semenko. He played basketball here. He understands and respects tradition,” Markle said. “Anytime you have a coach whose daughter is starting over other parents' kids, it can be difficult, but Steve can handle that stuff.

“Mike Hegedus has a daughter starting as well. Both of those girls will be leaders. Steve knows the system. He knows this program inside and out and he knows how to organize and run a program.

“He was the obvious choice,” Markle added.