J.P. Meck
Category
1999About This Inductee
J.P. is a graduate of Nanticoke High School, where he was an outstanding football and baseball player. He went on to attend E. Stroudsburg University, where he again played football. He began his coaching career in 1970 at Plains High School, coaching football and basketball. In 1972, J.P. moved to Coughlin Junior High School, where he coached football, basketball and track. From 1976 to 1983, he was head football coach at Coughlin High. During the 1979, 1981 and 1982 seasons, Coughlin’s football team won the Wyoming Valley Conference Championship. All three teas were Eastern Conference Championship finalists. The 1979 team was the first and only 11-0 team in the history of Coughlin High School. On that team were Ron Solt of the University of Maryland, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles; and Bruce Kozerski of Holy Cross and Cincinnati Bengals who appeared in the Superbowl vs. the S.F. 49ERS. In 1982, Coughlin beat the #1 team in the state, Berwick, by a score of 31-6 at Wilkes-Barre Memorial Stadium. Coach Meck was named 1982 P.A. State Football Coach of the Year. He was also named Wyoming Valley Conference Football Coach of the Year in 1979, 1981 and 1982. His combined record as a head junior high and high school football coach was 111-43-2. In 1984, he became assistant football coach at Wilkes College, as well as functioning as head girls’ volleyball coach at Coughlin High. While at Wilkes, as the offensive line coach, J.P. was part of the staff that had the Colonel’s ranked at 10th in the nation in Division III football. Coach Meck’s line once gave up no sacks in a 71 pass game. From 1990 to 1994 he was head or assistant football coach at Crestwood High School. From 1995 to 1997, he was an assistant basketball coach at Coughlin High School. During the 1995, 1996 and 1997 seasons, he was WYOU Sports Channel 22 color commentator on their high school football “Game of the Week.” J.P. and his wife, the former Denise Goobic, reside in Wilkes-Barre with their son Paul, 19, and twin daughters Corie and Abby, 16.