Note: Michael Kulish coached WPSD Soccer team for 4 years from 1974 to 1978.
By Ray Fisher, Triblive.com
September 8, 2026
Thomas Jefferson’s longtime successful boys soccer coach Michael Kulish, affectionately known as “Doc,” died of heart failure Sunday at the age of 79.
Michael Kulish III passionately assisted his dad in the TJ soccer program for more than two decades.
“He was at Jefferson Hospital for a few days and then AGH for the last week,” Kulish III said. “He was still involved with the team for the first four games this year.
“My dad was my role model and my best friend. There is no one I know that cared more for his family, friends and the numerous students and players he taught and coached throughout the years. It was an honor to be on the sidelines with him the last 25 years.”
Doc Kulish was in the 34th season as the varsity coach at TJ, compiling a 465-192-41 career record prior to 2026, and was one of the oldest, most decorated soccer coaches in Western Pennsylvania.
Under his leadership, TJ’s soccer team won the PIAA championship in 2002, earned three district titles (2001, 2002, 2004), and appeared in three straight PIAA finals.
“It’s a sad day in the TJ community,” said Bill Cherpak, TJ’s athletic director and football coach. “Doc was such a genuinely nice and selfless person. His focus was always on the kids and anything he could do to help them. He has had a positive impact on the lives of all who knew him but especially the hundreds of young men he coached.
“He and his son Michael have been coaching together here at TJ since I started. I always enjoyed working with him but even more than that, I valued his friendship of over 30 years. I will certainly miss him as will all who knew him. The world needs more people like Doc Kulish.”
Kulish won multiple section titles and Coach of the Year accolades and reached a coaching milestone in 2021 with his 400th career win in a 1-0 overtime decision against South Fayette in the WPIAL playoffs. TJ edged the Lions on a goal by then-senior midfielder Michael Ngugi in the game’s 88th minute.
Kulish graduated from Thomas Jefferson in 1964, played fullback on the men’s soccer team at Alliance College, earned a master’s in deaf education from Pitt in 1974, and a Ph.D. in vocational education in the area of trade and industrial safety education at Pitt in 1986.
Michael Kulish III — Doc’s dedicated sidekick on the pitch — has served as associate varsity head coach and JV coach for the Jaguars. Rob Shoemaker and Scott Graham also are on the TJ coaching staff.
“Michael’s very knowledgeable of the game,” Kulish said a few years ago. “He is also my best friend. And my wife, Helen, has been so supportive of us over the years.”
Kulish III, 45, owns a heavy equipment and CDL training business.
“I just turned 45 on Aug. 30, which was also my parents’ 57th wedding anniversary,” he said.
Doc Kulish enjoyed a legendary coaching tenure at TJ; the boys soccer program was prevalent in the school district and popular among students.
There were 44 athletes in the program in 2025, including 11 seniors and 33 underclassmen: 10 juniors, 14 sophomores and nine freshmen.
This year, the total is 42 with nine seniors, 13 juniors, 10 sophomores and 10 freshmen.
The Jaguars have been a postseason participant 12 years in a row. During that span, they have won three section titles, advanced to the state playoffs three times, and haven’t had a losing regular-season record.
Also, during that span, Kulish racked up a 164-48-5 overall record.
Kulish, who retired after 40 years as a teacher in 2007, was one of the longest-tenured and most respected coaches in the WPIAL.
“I was an educator my entire career,” he said, again a few years ago. “I began as a regular education teacher, then as a teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing at Allegheny Intermediate Unit at Mon Valley School.”
Kulish’s high school coaching career began at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf from 1974-78. He was an assistant to Michael Adams, serving as acting head coach when Adams wasn’t available. Prior to that, Kulish coached youth teams when his son was young.
“I had the opportunity to apply for the head coaching position at Thomas Jefferson and became head coach in 1993,” Kulish said. “When I was hired, I was told that my sole objective was to win. If I didn’t (win), ‘Then don’t expect to be here very long.’
“I love(d) coaching at TJ, and with my son as my assistant made it even more rewarding.”
Rich Costanzo, the men’s soccer coach at George Mason, is a 2004 TJ graduate who gained recognition as a Hall of Fame soccer player.
A two-time All-American, Costanzo scored a school-record 124 goals in three years and led TJ to the PIAA Class 2A boys title in 2002.
He has held lifelong respect and admiration for Kulish.
“Doc was an amazing high school coach. He was a true mentor and gentlemen on the field,” Costanzo said. “He was able to have a huge impact on so many players’ lives; he was the type of person you wanted running a soccer program and teaching life lessons through sports. He was an honest and trustworthy coach, someone that you could always rely on. Someone with strong faith that treated all the players and families with respect and care.
“My family is very close to Helen and Michael and we are surely all mourning the loss of Doc. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this tough time. Doc was such a great mentor and friend to me as a player as well as a coach. My family has known Doc for over 35 years, and after my time playing for Doc at TJ our families have been best of friends ever since.”
Source: Triblive.com
