CSP (NY) coach Ty Harper steps down as head coach
Tagged under: Beyond The Keystone, News
Josh Hosier | January 13, 2025
A “Decade of Dominance” culminates with a state title and the departure
of the Leader of the Pack.
In 2015 a Dynasty was born. The Small towns of Clymer, Sherman and
Panama came together to create a co-op football program known as the
CSP Wolfpack. The new program was entrusted to a Sherman Teacher named
Ty Harper who quickly established a culture of excellence. Ty was a
section 6 football alum who played at St. John Fisher before returning
to Chautauqua County to teach and coach.
With Harper at the helm the Wolfpack put together
arguably one of the most impressive 10-year spans of any high school football
program not only in New York State, but in the country. Take away
those programs with out of state players, and the average win
percentage for the other programs considered “elite” are somewhere in
the 70-72% range. This falls short of CSP’s 75% win rate over 10
years. That rate becomes even more impressive when you isolate the 7
years that have yielded 3 state titles for the Pack. In those 7
seasons, the win percentage is an astounding 84%.
In this “Decade of Dominance”, Ty Harper has lead
the Wolfpack to 8 playoff berths, 4 Section six titles, 4 Far West
Regional crowns, and 3 State Championships. This is not just
impressive, it is utter dominance. This powerful dynasty of NY high
school football is even more impressive when you take the time to get
to know the team and coaches. This program totes academic
achievements, sportsmanship and a focus on being good humans. Every
member of the program is positive, excited, and generally some of the
nicest people you will ever meet.
Coach Harper leads his Pack by example, being a
positive member of the community and modeling what he believes is best
practices as a person for his team. Every single opponent of CSP over
the years will tell you that Ty is not just a good guy, he is a classy
guy. He doesn’t run the score up, he doesn’t showboat, and he always
shows respect and speaks well of everyone regardless of the tension or
rivalry in those moments.
The Wolfpack Machine rolled to their 3rd state title in
2024 and while the season was an incredible success. Coach Harper came
to a very serious and humble realization. He came to a decision that
is both shocking and yet also honorable. At the CSP Banquet on January 12th, Ty
Harper let the CSP community know, he had decided to step away from
the program to have more time with his family.
This sort of announcement is often met with anger and outrage but not in the
culture Ty has created. The CSP Community understood, his modeling of
how to be a good human – had impacted his Pack so much that every single
person from varsity to modified, coaches and parents all felt very sad
to see him go but very proud of his choice.
Ty Harper, the man behind the “Decade of Dominance”, will
yield his leadership of the CSP Wolfpack, but his legacy will be one
that lasts forever in 3 small communities in Chautauqua County. 3
communities considered rivals who found a way to follow a dynamic and
inspiring leader who not only won football games, but changed the way
football was played with dynamic play calling and schemes. Ty’s players have achieved incredible things in
their lives after football and that is all about the life lessons
learned while under his tutelage.
I know I speak for all of those who have gotten to interact with Coach Harper in the media,
community, on his teams, and other coaches and officials when I say
this:
– Thank you, Ty, for everything you have done for this sport we all
love so much. Your legacy is not just wins or titles, it’s a culture
of excellence, hard work, and character. Nothing in the world is more
important. And as you always say, Go Pack! –
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