Mikovich new Lisbon football coach

February 9, 2018 at 12:07a.m.

Chaney grad replaces veteran Tsilimos

Alan Mikovich is replacing a Columbiana County legend.

The Austintown Fitch assistant coach was put in charge of the Blue Devils Thursday night by the Lisbon Board of Education. He replaces Jim Tsilimos retired after the 2017 season as the school’s winningest coach at 147-115 in 25 seasons. He coached Lisbon to the school’s — and Columbiana County’s — only state championship in 1995.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to be part of the Lisbon tradition,” Mikovich said. “I’m just excited to get started with the process.”

Mikovich has been coaching high school football for 30 years. The Chaney grad started out at his alma mater in 1987 as an assistant. He then served has the head coach at Jackson-Milton from 2001-03. He then was as an assistant coach at Struthers before spending the last nine years at Fitch under head coach Phil Annarella.

He is the father of Youngstown State softball player Cali Mikovich and former Falcons football player JC Mikovich, who attends Youngstown State.

Lisbon went 6-5 in Tsilimos’ final season.

“Football is football. It doesn’t matter if it’s Division I Fitch or Division VII Lisbon,” Mikovich said. “It’s an exciting game. The kids enjoy playing and we’re going to do our best to continue that tradition.”