Moussa steps down after three seasons, one District 11 title
Southmoore Golf Course’s first hole is a serene par 4 that offers little trouble to start a round.
But last Thursday, Ramie Moussa was a ball of nerves on the tee box. He could not contain his feelings by the time he reached the fairway.
The Palisades football coach told his playing partner, athletic director Brian Gilbert, that he was stepping down after the Pirates’ final game the following day. “I kind of had an idea,” Gilbert said. Moussa’s voice is the first thing you hear the minute you are within sight of the Pirate Ship that watches over Palisades’ Walter T. Rohrer Stadium.
He is energetic, enthusiastic and passionate.
Moussa loves football and working with kids. He also loves other aspects of his life.
“Not many people can say they are excited about going to work every day,” Moussa said. “I am. Football used to be who I was. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized it’s time to give back to the team at home.”
The 33-year-old Moussa is a production planner at Samuel Adams Pennsylvania Brewery, part of The Boston Beer Company, in Breinigsville. He also is engaged.
Those two areas of his life now are going to get more attention.
“In the back of my mind, I’m thinking about family and kids and not wanting to stay stagnant,” Moussa said. “I don’t know if I’ll be an assistant [anywhere] next year. I don’t know if I’ll be a head coach again.
“Maybe in 5, 10 years if I have kids and am settled down in a more stable life.”
Moussa was 13-17 in his three seasons, including a 2020 District 11 Class 2A championship. It was the Pirates’ fourth district title (2008-09, 2017).
The Pirates were hit hard by graduation and even harder this fall by injuries and illnesses. They finished 2-8 and out of the playoffs.
Moussa is a 2007 Whitehall and 2011 Penn State graduate with an education
degree. Unable to find a teaching job after college, he worked as a brewer at the Samuel Adams plant.
He also started coaching at Whitehall under head coach Tony Trisciani, then was Gilbert’s offensive line coach for the Zephyrs.
Moussa stayed one more year after Gilbert left, then followed Gilbert to Palisades in 2019 to become the Pirates’ head coach.
“[Gilbert] is one of my best friends,” Moussa said. “I thought about telling him for a week, and it ate me up. They say the things that make you a better person are those hard conversations.
“I have nothing but respect and admiration for Brian and the entire Palisades administration. They were tremendously supportive throughout everything, especially last year.”
Palisades was the only are team to play 10 games in the 2020 pandemic season. The Pirates’ fourth district championship did not come without
challenges, more so than just the losses to Northwestern and Notre DameGreen Pond.
But Moussa said the seniors, including Zach Smith, Mason Smeland, Ben Haubert, Danny Kelleher and Austin Winters, plus junior Nick Petrillo were instrumental in maintaining continuity and unity throughout the season. He also was thankful for the effort of his top two assistants Dan Caffrey and Garrett Bisbing.
“With the pandemic, the circumstances, rather than splitting us up,” he said, “it brought our team more together. The team goal was whatever it took, they were going to fight through to win a district championship.
“That senior class, we had five guys who were coaches on the field. I’m glad we were able to build that type of family atmosphere. There never was animosity. We did it right. The administration was part of that with their unwavering support.
“I’m thankful. It was one of the best years of my life. I’ll never forget it.”
The South Whitehall resident also is proud of a sustainability project he was part of last summer that helped save Samuel Adams money. He is excited to do more for that team.
Gilbert, who has been at Palisades in some capacity since 2000, appreciated the commitment Moussa and his staff provided the last three years.
“With the job, the driving and being newly engaged,” Gilbert said, “I’m disappointed and sad, but I don’t blame him. He and half his staff did a lot of driving from the Whitehall area year round for offseason workouts and everything else. It takes a toll on you after awhile.
“He got us a district championship. I knew after spending those years at Whitehall, watching Ramie grow up as a player and coach, I wanted to make sure he got a chance to coach. He had a good plan. I’m proud of him as a friend and mentor.”
Like Gilbert and current Northampton assistant coach Kevin Ronalds before him, Moussa proved you can win at Palisades. He also left the program in good shape despite a tough 2021 season.
Kai Stiansen, Greg Borgeson, Logan Winters, Kyle Kirsch, Danny Haubert, Sheadon Carr and Steven Lilly are building blocks moving forward for the next Pirates coach.
“It’s an attractive location,” Gilbert said, “The administration is second to none. The facilities are second to none.”
As for the potential travel, Gilbert said the best time to think is in the car.
“You can come up with game plans, practice plans,” he said. “You can talk to parents and coaches. It’s like a working office.”
Moussa’s only office now is at Sam Adams’ plant in Breinigsville. But he will forever cherish the lifelong friendships he made with those at Palisades and fellow Colonial League coaches.
“You can’t put a value on that stuff,” he said.