Name: Mike Melnyk
Nickname: Coach Mel
Contact for Media Inquiry
Age: 55
Birthday: 9/11/62
Birthplace: Detroit, MI
College: University of Michigan
Experience: 38 years
Profession: College coach for 10 years/teacher for 27 years; 20 years as a high school head coach, 3 years as an assistant
Favorite Sports Teams: Michigan Wolverines, Pittsburgh anything
Hobbies: golf, playing cards
Passions: Family; helping athletes reach their unrealized full potential
College Sports: football at The University of Michigan 1980-1984
Other Sports played: basketball, soccer
How/why you got into football: played basketball with starting QB, he talked me into it my senior year in HS.
Family: Wife Kathleen; Daughter Brittany; Sons: Colin, Colby; Grandson, Braylen; Son-in-Law, Nick Lagroone (basketball assistant at Southeast Missouri State University.)
Pets: love dogs, but all deceased.
TWO TRUTHS & A LIE!
— Had a professional tryout with the Dallas Cowboys.
— Born and raised on the East side of Detroit.
— Coached college football on the West Coast.
In His Own Words:
Being a backup kicker at the University of Michigan fostered the love for the sport and all that it can do for a person. I coached at a Michigan high school for two years before embarking on a collegiate coaching career:
Coached at Kutztown University, Washington State University, and Albright College as special teams coordinator, receivers coach, Offensive Coordinator, and quarterbacks coach. Coached 8 All-American during college coaching career. Have worked with coaches like Matt Rhule (Baylor HC), Geoff Collins (Temple HC), Kevin Sumlin (Arizona HC).
I have been a head high school coach for 20 years and named Coach of the Year twice in two different leagues. My team broke all offensive records in the last two high school stops. Many players of my have gone on to successful collegiate careers, including at Michigan, Penn State, and Pittsburgh.
I’ve been supported for 30 years by a wonderful wife, Kathy, and 3 children who have all been on the sidelines and helping out in a variety of ways for my teams. Behind every successful man is a strong woman, and Kathy has been a rock for our family and loved by my teams.
I’m ecxcited to be a part of Pittsburgh Passion football. The organization epitomizes all that football should be about: values, family, hard work, and class. Teresa Conn and the Passion organization have built a wonderful place for women to compete and grow stronger as a person while belonging to a team.
“Those who stay will be Champions!”