ALLISON PARK, PA-- 

During the final interview, Brian Junker was told he would be the next head baseball coach at Hampton. 

It was somewhat of an unexpected moment for Junker, following his departure from Shaler after 16-seasons. But the excitement he has about coming to Hampton is something that everyone is taking notice of. Aside from all the hardware, a fresh voice is something that is much needed. 

And yeah… the hardware is an added bonus. 

“Conversations started during football season,” Junker said. “At that time, I really wasn’t looking to jump back in because football is so demanding. Once the season ended and the position was still open, combined with wanting to spend more time with my family and be there for my son’s senior year, it just felt like the right opportunity.”

An opportunity to turn a program around that hasn’t seen the postseason since 2023 and technically hasn’t had a winning season since 2019. Which was also the last time Hampton won their section. Over the last two seasons, Hampton has a combined 12-23 overall record with an 8-14 section record. 

In that 2019 season, Hampton finished 12-6 overall, 8-2 in section play, but saw their season end in the WPIAL quarterfinal (Hampton’s first playoff game) to Laurel Highlands. Junker is more than qualified to get the Talbots back on a winning path. But to get to the top of the mountain, you have to climb it first.

“After 16 years as a head coach, you learn what truly works,” Junker continued. “Our focus will be on developing winners off the field first, because that translates on the field. We’ll emphasize discipline, accountability, and the process it takes to compete for championships—we focus on the process not wins.  Wins are a byproduct of our process. 

Winning is a process.

And winning is nothing new to Brian Junker. 

It’s something he specialized in as the head coach at Shaler. 

Over his 16-year tenure, Junker helped lead the Titans to 3 WPIAL championships, a state championship, with 2 appearances, and over 200 wins. Junker’s tenure is one of the most successful in school history. Matching legendary coach Jerry Matulevic in pretty much every category. So to say his tenure at Shaler was successful would be a huge understatement. 

“Shaler has always meant everything to me,” Junker said of his time at Shaler. “I played there, coached there, and always wanted to bring the program back to the level of the 1980 team. After matching Coach Jerry Matulevic’s accomplishments—three WPIAL titles, a state championship, and a state runner-up—and with my kids getting older, I felt it was the perfect time to move on.”

For reference, Shaler’s 1980 baseball team is considered one of, if not the best, athletic teams Shaler has ever had. Ten players from that team would play Division 1 athletics, and six of them would go on to play professional sports. 

That team still holds the standard of what a high school sports team should be in the eyes of Brian Junker. 

“Without the 1980 team, there is no 2023 state championship team. We try to teach all of our players what it takes to be like those teams,” Junker would explain. 

His approach to the game is what made him stand out. Not just the hardware in his trophy case. Junker applied for the position just like all the other candidates. So, there was no special treatment during the hiring process. But his resume needs “no endorsement” to borrow a phrase from former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. 

“Brian has an established track record of building a consistent and successful baseball program,” Mike Gavlik, Hampton’s Athletic Director, said. “His years of experience at high school baseball set him apart.”

The excitement around Brian Junker is universal. To be able to hire a coach as established as Junker is not something a school or a team gets to do every day. Championship coaches just don’t walk right through the door, no matter what level. Hampton understands that. Which is why the energy is at an all-time high right now. 

“The coaching staff and team have already began off season workouts and are eager to begin the season,” Gavlik said. 

This is the type of coach you want in the dugout. A coach who is going to challenge players on a daily basis and a coach that players want to play for. It’s a two-way street. The only thing that is harder than winning the big game is getting there. Junker’s been there, and he’s got there. More than once. 

Junker understands what comes with leading young men on the field, but, more importantly, off. He’s more than ready to give his players experiences they’ll remember for a lifetime. It’s something he and his buddies reminisce about now. All of his previous experience has helped him build the leadership skills that are required to handle this type of stewardship. That is his top priority. 

“I want to give these players an experience they’ll talk about for the rest of their lives—just like I still do with my HS buddies. I will give them everything I have. And I know they will give me the same in return.”