Father-son coaching tandem headed for Jenkintown

Chalie and C.J. Szydlik, the father-son duo who coached football together for the last six seasons at soon-to-close North Catholic, will be reunited on the sidelines this fall.

C.J. Szydlik, North's defensive coordinator for the last three seasons, will become the head football coach at Jenkintown, pending approval by the school district's board of directors on Monday, according to sources familiar with the search.

His father, Chalie, the boss at North Catholic for six years, will serve as Jenkintown's offensive coordinator.

"It's exciting that we'll be able to coach together again," Chalie Szydlik said. "C.J. has always wanted to be a head coach, and I'm glad that he has the opportunity."

C.J. Szydlik, 33, is a Philadelphia police officer working in the Southwest Detective Division. The Parkwood resident was a center and defensive end for Frankford in the early 1990s.

"This is exciting for me," C.J. Szydlik said. "It's all flying by right now. I'm trying to get things organized as quickly as possible."

Before the younger Szydlik landed the Jenkintown job, father and son worked for two-and-a-half weeks as assistants under new St. Joseph's Prep coach Gabe Infante. For the Hawks, C.J. was a linebackers coach and Chalie a wide receivers and special teams coach.

At least two former North assistants, offensive coordinator Joe Lawinski and defensive backs coach Joe Murphy, Jr., will join the Szydliks at Jenkintown. Lawinski is expected to coach the offensive and defensive linemen, and Murphy will tutor the defensive backs.

Last year, under Hal Smith, the Drakes went 3-7 overall and 1-3 in the Bicentennial Athletic League. Smith resigned to pursue a coaching job at Cheyney University.

All-star game. Neshaminy coach Mark Schmidt will guide the Northeast squad in Sunday's New Jersey vs. Northeast All-Star Football Classic, set for 3 p.m. at Rutgers University.

The Northeast roster includes six players from Southeastern Pennsylvania: Upper Darby linebacker Niyi Adewole (headed for Temple), Norristown tight end Evan Battalio (Indiana University of Pennsylvania), Haverford School linebacker Wyatt Benson (Temple), Norristown defensive back Anthony Robey (Temple), Pennsbury safety Eric Williams (Pittsburgh), and Cardinal O'Hara center Matt Williams (James Madison).

Charlie Pirrello, Neshaminy's quarterbacks coach, is assisting Schmidt with directing the Northeast team.