Longtime Maryvale football coach Jeff Buccieri is resigning after 18 seasons with the program.
Buccieri was the Flyers head coach for the past nine years and is stepping down to spend more time with his family. “Having three kids all at that age where they need my attention was the big factor in stepping away.”
Buccieri is interested in being an assistant if the new head coach would like him to stick around. “I would definitely like to continue coaching, I’m not shutting the door on that entirely. Maybe at some point down the road we can come back, we shall see.”
Among some of Buccieri’s favorite teams and players over the past 18 years are the 2014 team that almost made it to Ralph Wilson Stadium. “That team in 2014 put Maryvale football back on the map. We had some really good kids, some blue collar guys that were fun to be around. Mike Haferty, Marcus Ford and Mike Kelleher just to name a few. I appreciated everything that team did for Maryvale. They made my job easy as a young head coach.”
Buccieri was very appreciative of two of his assistants over the years in Steve Griffin (former AD) and Paul Rokitka. “Those two guys and I were a unit. They were invaluable to me and we have become the best of friends over the years.”
For the past four years Buccieri also developed a special bond with Connor Desiderio, who will be graduating this June.
“Connor was a warrior throughout his time here and gave it his all.”
The 2017 Flyers team reached the Section VI finals at New Era Field, coming up one play short against their rival Cheektowaga.
“That was another great team filled with selfless players. Ray Blackwell came out his senior year and was so much fun to watch. Dylan Casey, Rashad Law, Nick Costanzo and Connor, what a great group of players that I was blessed to coach.”
Buccieri also developed great respect for opposing coaches.
“Going up against the likes of Glen Graham (Cleve Hill) and Mike Fatta (Cheektowaga); those are Hall of Fame coaches and men I deeply admire.”
Graham said he developed a great respect for Buccieri as a coach as well. “Ever since Jeff took over he grew each year and became one of the best coaches in our area.”
Maryvale and Cleve-Hill have had a rivalry that is approaching 50 years, Graham took part as a player as well. “We were able to see what areas we were going to have to get better at as a team after playing Maryvale. It’s the first game of the season so it was always a launching pad for us. I’ll always admire the job Jeff did at Maryvale and he’s going to be missed.”
The job was officially posted on Thursday.