Eric Jantzi, who has presided over one of Western New York's best football programs for the last decade, has stepped down as coach at North Tonawanda.
Jantzi told The Buffalo News that he was relinquishing his spot to spend more time with his young family.
"My family and I are moving to Orchard Park to be closer to our parents and brothers and sisters, and our kids don't get see them enough," he said.
"We wanted to be closer to our family, the amount of time I have to put into coaching I don't think I could put in the time with my kids, or spend every day with the kids up here."
Jantzi said his commute would make it difficult or impossible for him to be available for daily weightlifting and other workouts that make coaching a 12-month job.
"I have only one speed, and I don't think it would be fair to the kids [to reduce his time with them}."
He informed the Lumberjacks team Thursday night that he was stepping down.
He teaches at North Tonawanda and will keep that position, but the rest of his plans are up in the air.
"I think I will coach again," he said. "I don't know if it will be right away. I'll discuss it with my family since they are the ones who make the sacrifices. ... I don't have any plans right now."
Jantzi, a Springville native, coached NT for 11 years, winning eight Class AA North divisional titles. Last season, he led NT to the state championship in Class AA, the first football state championship for the school and for Niagara County.
It is the third high-profile departure for NT's athletic department in the last several months. Basketball coach Erik O'Bryan went to Niagara-Wheatfield while athletic director Greg Whitman is leaving NT for Hamburg.
-- Keith McShea
tagged
High school football | North Tonawanda
