Two coaches on verge of 600 wins

Of all the coaches who have come through the WPIAL in 109 seasons of boys basketball and 47 seasons of girls basketball, only 13 have won 600 games.

But the 600 Club needs to add two new seats. There will be expansion — likely twice over the next few days.

Sewickley Academy boys coach Win Palmer and Neshannock girls coach Luann Grybowski are about to play follow-theleader into the WPIAL record books and the 600 Club. Grybowski’s team plays at Beaver Falls tonight and a win makes her only the third girls coach in WPIAL history to win 600 games. Grybowski’s record is 599-240 in 37 seasons at four different schools.

Meanwhile, at Sewickley Academy it’s a Win win situation again. It’s appropriate no one calls Winthrop Palmer by his real first name. He’s just Win — all the time. He needs only two wins to become the 12th boys coach in WPIAL history to win 600 games. His record at three schools, including two in Virginia, is 598-271.

Think of how unusual it is for two WPIAL coaches to possibly win their 600th game a few days apart. Now for the ultimate coincidence. If Sewickley Academy wins Friday against Sto-Rox, the Panthers play Tuesday at, of all places, Neshannock. Get the “Win wins 600” headline ready.

“I think this means I’m just getting older,” Palmer said, with a laugh.

Grybowski doesn’t want a big deal made out of 600 wins. The only two WPIAL girls coaches to win 600 are legends — Don Barth of North Catholic and De Porucznik of Mount Alvernia. There are 19 WPIAL titles between those two retired coaches.

“Wow, I didn’t know they were the only two [with 600 wins],” Grybowski said. “Now I’m impressed. I’m both honored and humbled to be mentioned with them.”

Palmer and Grybowski know of each other, but they have never met. Although they coach different genders, they are very similar. They are close in age — Palmer is 58 and Grybowski 59. They both won plenty of games at other schools. Grybowski also has coached at Shenango, Aliquippa and New Castle before coming to Neshannock in 2009. Palmer coached at Flint Hill and St. Stephens in Virginia before coming to Sewickley Academy in 2001.

Palmer has won three WPIAL titles. Grybowski also has three WPIAL championships, all at New Castle. Palmer coached his son, Tyler. Grybowski coached her daughter, Tayler.

But their paths to 600 have been much different. Palmer played for legendary coach Bob Dwyer at St. Anselm’s in Washington, and was a Notre Dame manager for coach Digger Phelps. Palmer always wanted to be a basketball coach. He also is Sewickley Academy’s athletic director.

Grybowski was pushed into basketball coaching. She played softball at Slippery Rock University and dabbled in other sports. In 1980, she was going for a teaching job at Shenango High School.

“When they interviewed me, they asked me if I would be willing to coach,” said Grybowski, a retired health and physical education teacher. “They said they needed a basketball coach. I told them I didn’t know a whole lot, but I could learn. I went 3-17 my first year at Shenango and I swore then that I would do whatever it takes to never have that record again. I didn’t the rest of my career.”

Some of the boys coaches who have won 600 are legends, including North Catholic’s Don Graham, Wampum’s Butler Hennon and Blackhawk’s John Miller.

“I started as a head coach when I was 23,” Palmer said. “It’s still a blast. I love it. I love watching kids develop.”

Like Palmer, Grybowski has no plans to retire soon. Both have strong teams this season, capable of making championship runs.

“I haven’t changed the way I’ve coached over the years. I’ve just changed how I deal with certain kids,” Grybowski said. “Parents are different today and kids are different. But even my daughter looks at me sometimes and says, ‘Mom, you still love this, don’t you?’ I still do love it.”