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Cullen closes in on 500 wins
By Greg Gulas
BEAVER TOWNSHIP
There have been a multitude of memorable coaching moments for John Cullen, the South Range High School head boys basketball coach.
When his Raiders travel to Salem tonight to take on the Quakers, his team is hoping to present to him yet another on his long list.
In 42 years of roaming the sidelines, 35 as head coach, Cullen coached teams have won 499 of the 750 games that he has been a part of, a testament to the detail and preparation he puts forth.
“It really is humbling when you think of 500 wins,” Cullen said. “This doesn’t happen without the many players and coaches that I have been fortunate enough to either coach or work with.
“Right there as well is support from administration, as well as the many fans who remain passionate about our team,” Cullen said. “They are all a part of this moment.”
South Range (8-1) enters tonight’s game riding an eight-game winning streak, their only loss coming at Lowellville, 57-55, in the season opener. They’ve reeled off eight consecutive victories while waltzing through December unscathed.
Tony Matisi, the Raiders girls head coach who recorded his 400th victory last month, said Cullen is one of the most approachable coaches.
“I’ve known John for a long time, but really got to know him when he served as director of basketball operations for the YSU women’s basketball team,” Matisi said. “When I had questions or concerns about a specific area of the game, without fail he made the time to listen and help me out.
“He does that with everyone,” Matisi said. “His passion for the game is second to none and when he was hired at South Range, it was like I was joining my best friend.”
Cullen’s coaching career began in 1973 at Brookfield High School where he spent six seasons as an assistant coach before taking the head job with Badger for one season.
He returned to Brookfield as head coach in 1979, leading the Warriors to three sectional crowns. In 1982, Cullen took over at Canfield, a position that he held for the 28 years.
“Each stop along the way there were loyal, caring people,” Cullen said. “Brookfield taught me how to win and Badger was on the cusp of big things as well.
“I was told by many that Canfield would be a challenge, but when players buy into your system only great things happen and they did at Canfield,” Cullen said. “It was a fun to work with the YSU women’s team and now at South Range, this group is as special as any that I have ever coached.”
Steve Rohan, South Range principal, called Cullen a tireless worker and a coach who always gets the most out of his players.
“John always maintains an even keel demeanor with his team and his knowledge of the game is unmatched,” Rohan said. “In three seasons at South Range, Cullen has taken the Raiders from a 4-18 mark in his first season, to 15-9 a season ago.