P'burg appoints coaches Scott Silvis named interim wrestling coach replacing Rick Thompson. Tuesday, July 25, 2006 • By MIKE WEILAMANN • The Express-Times Phillipsburg High School sports coaches for the 2006-07 school year finally were appointed during Monday's school board meeting. The board appointed an interim coach for wrestling, replacing Rick Thompson. The head coach in that sport and cross country last year, Thompson publicly resigned from his coaching duties during Monday's meeting at the middle school. All other coaches from last year will return in 2006-07. In his place, Scott Silvis was named as interim head wrestling coach. No cross country coach was named, even on an interim basis. "We will start the search immediately (for a wrestling coach)," Superintendent Gordon Pethick said. Silvis is away on his honeymoon in St. Lucia and could not be reached for comment. He likely is unaware of his appointment. "I sent him a written communication (today) that he had been appointed until a regular coach is appointed," Pethick said. "He would be welcome to apply for the job." Board labor attorney Richard Bauch said Pethick did not wish to bring in a cross country coach on an interim basis. Jim Sheridan, whose son Ed is a rising senior at the school and one of the team's top returning runners, has been working with the team in the offseason. "The job was posted (Monday) and until we get some applications it's hard to say (when a coach will be in place)," Bauch said. The appointment of coaches in all sports, generally done at the end of the school year, had been delayed because of the administration's investigation involving Thompson. Silvis had served as an assistant under Thompson the last three seasons. No other wrestling assistants have been approved for next season. In cross country, the Stateliners captured their first-ever NJSIAA Group 4 title last fall under Thompson. Mike Weilamann can be reached at 800-360-3601 or by e-mail at mweilamann@express-times.com © 2006 The Express-Times. Used with permission.