Omaha Burke’s Paul Limongi

This week’s Q&A

After living in Nebraska for the better part of 14 years, Paul Limongi has found that he’s one of a kind.

“There’s not many full-blooded Italians out here,” he said with a laugh.

The head coach of Omaha’s Burke High School football team is a transplant from Youngstown and a Chaney graduate who has used the lessons he learned here growing up to lead kids in a new region. Limongi played under coach Ron Berdis for four years, then served as an assistant from 1989 to 1994. Limongi has led the Bulldogs to an undefeated season, averaging 44 points a game. They are ranked nationally and are the No. 1-team in Nebraska, according to The Associated Press.

Q. How has your program changed and developed over the years?

A. At first, we could barely get 60 kids to come out for the team. Many that did had plenty of off-field issues to deal with so I wanted to instill the importance of principles, values and community service in these kids, with football being secondary. At first a lot of the kids thought ‘who does this new guy think he is? He can’t just come in here and act like he owns the place,’ But they really responded well and bought into it.

Q. Now, nearly 90 kids come out for the team. Has the success fueled greater interest?

A. They do realize that this is good stuff. It’s an honor and privilege to play football and we make the kids earn it. We’ve changed the culture and the reason we’ve gotten better is that people started to believe. Plus, kids like to play for a winner. It’s been up to them to buy into what the program is all about, first, then it translates to greater performance on the field.

Q. Your offense just broke the school record tallying almost 6,000 yards, this season. It’s got to be satisfying seeing the rankings give your team the honors it deserves, right?

A. It’s satifying to see that when I open the paper in the morning. But, we don’t get too caught up in it. We play our game, it’s hard-nosed, old-fashioned, “Youngstown style” football. Then, we let the chips fall where they may. We’re blessed with great athletes and the run our pistol offense very well.

Q. Do you see similarities between Omaha and Youngstown?

A. It’s a working class community, just like back home. There are good people, good neighborhoods and a family-type environment.

Q. Have you given up your Ohio sports loyalties with the move?

A. Oh, no. I still have my Browns, Indians, Cavs and Kelly Pavlik banners hanging in my home. And, I’m an Ohio State fan. It’s fun now that Nebraska is in the Big Ten. With [Bo] Pelini here, people know about Youngstown.

Interview by Matthew Peaslee.