When Jack Beidler '96, Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator of the Lebanon Valley College football team, retired from his 30-year career as a teacher this past summer, former Dutchmen Football and Track and Field standout Aonghas Evanick '25 took over his former coach's position.
Beidler retired from teaching World History at Northern Lebanon High School (NLHS) in June to join LVC's coaching staff full-time. Last season was his first as the program's Defensive Coordinator, and he was promoted to Assistant Head Coach this fall. Evanick, a former All-Conference defensive lineman for the football team as well as a three-time All-Region honoree and two-time All-Conference selection in track and field, was coached by Beidler and was hired to take over as NLHS's new 10th-Grade World History Teacher before the 2026-27 academic year.
"It's really cool that somebody you trust and have respect for as a player gets to replace you," Beidler said. "I couldn't have asked for somebody better."
Evanick graduated from Lebanon Valley College in 2025 with a bachelor's degree in Education, and he has started his Master of Education degree at the College. He has always had a passion for world history and expanded his knowledge of the world by studying abroad in Maastricht, Netherlands, in the summer of 2023. Evanick's first job after commencement combines his passions for teaching and history.
"Since graduation, I have been more than excited to finally get my own classroom to make my own and teach in," Evanick said. "Taking Coach Beidler's room was the cherry on top. It's definitely a little intimidating, however, to fill the shoes of such a storied educator and coach. There aren't enough hours in the day to hear all the positivity and praise that students, staff, and other coaches have for him. It is, of course, reassuring to know that Coach Beidler is never more than a practice field away for advice, help, or just an ear to listen to my experiences."
As Evanick began his first teaching job, Beidler's advice was to be his own person and use his expertise and experience to be successful in the classroom.
"I really think the biggest quality is his energy and enthusiasm," Beidler said. "That's something I always tried to do, was be enthusiastic, so I think he's going to do a great job with that."
Evanick completed his student teaching with former Dutchmen Men's Soccer player and Assistant Coach Andrew Raudensky '09, who teaches ninth-grade American History at Annville-Cleona High School. He said that Raudensky, who was a student teacher for Beidler, greatly helped him learn how to be a successful educator. While Evanick was working as a student teacher, he frequently discussed the experience with Beidler at practice. During the interview process for the job at Northern Lebanon, Evanick even had the opportunity to teach some of Beidler's students.
Evanick, who was also a team captain and three-time Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Champion for both LVC's men's outdoor and indoor track and field teams, expressed that he has implemented aspects of Beidler's approach as an educator into his teaching.
"What makes him a great coach and teacher is how much he cares about his students," Evanick said. "I am bringing this same energy to my classroom to try and foster a positive learning environment where students are excited to learn and build connections with their teacher."
Beidler joined Lebanon Valley's coaching staff full-time after 15 years as an Assistant Coach. The inside linebacker and former co-captain for the Dutchmen said he has greatly enjoyed working for the program on a daily basis.
"It's really cool," Beidler said. "I've always had good relationships with the players, but now you see them in between classes, and you're seeing them in a different light. I'm excited about building those relationships, because I think coaching really comes down to trust—I've got to trust them, and they've got to trust me. Being able to watch film and correct mistakes is exciting, because I was never able to be in those meetings. It helps give the players the best opportunity to be successful in games."
As both Evanick and Beidler begin new chapters in their careers, Beidler remains a mentor for his former player, and their bond as LVC alumni continues.
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