Tom Rowe

Contributor

Whenever Mariano Rivera, the great New York Yankees relief pitcher, left the mound following one of his late-inning performances, his poker-faced demeanor never indicated whether he had emerged the victor or had been humbled by defeat. His facial expression and body language were always stoic-like; not at all mirroring the fist-pumping, rah-rah types who eked out a win, or the expletive-filled, glove-throwing tirades exhibited by many losers.

Rivera, who saved more games (652) than any other pitcher in Major League Baseball history, toiled 19 years for the Bronx Bombers, and is a lock to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame next summer in his first year of eligibility.

Much like Rivera, John Pluta’s demeanor prior to, during and after a football game was every bit as stoic as the former Yankees hurler. He didn’t berate his players, criticize the officials or heap unnecessary praise upon himself. Instead, he went quietly about racking up the best winning percentage of any Norwich grid mentor with more than three years of service. And, like Rivera, who will certainly enter the hallowed halls of Cooperstown in 2019, Pluta will take his rightful place among Purple greats when his plaque is unveiled during ceremonies at the eighth annual Norwich High School Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremonies this fall.

“His coaching style was tailor-made for a kid like me,” indicated Chris Maynard, who quarterbacked the Tornado in 1992 and 1993. “He pushed you hard and he demanded that you always dug down for a little more, so that you were giving everything you had inside you during that given moment.

“But, he also made it fun. He showed us that we could have a great time while working hard, both physically and mentally,” continued Maynard. “Many practices he could be heard quoting lyrics from popular songs of that time, while we grunted and groaned our way through calisthenics.”

Maynard’s teammate Matt Ryan, who anchored both the offensive and defensive lines during those halcyon falls, agrees. “It seemed easy to play for Coach Pluta. It was some of the most fun I’ve ever had in my life. We had a lot of success on the field; but, honestly, I remember more of what Coach Pluta gave me off the field. He somehow seemed to understand me, and he believed in me at a time when I needed it. He shared his own life stories, struggles and adversities. He recognized when I wasn’t giving the effort I was capable of, and pushed me to put everything I had into it, no matter what the task. For that, I will always be grateful.”

Besides the influence he had on Maynard and Ryan, Pluta’s style of coaching must have been readily accepted by the rest of the Tornado players, as well, when you consider that he compiled a .630 winning percentage (119-70-1) for his 20 seasons as the Norwich head man. That won-loss ratio ranks the highest in the annals of Tornado gridiron lore for any coach with more than three years at the Purple helm (see accompanying chart). The only equal to Pluta is the legendary Kurt Beyer, who compiled a record of 125-75-9 (.625) during his 28 years (1930-57) of service to rank second in terms of success rate.

Norwich’s record under Pluta could have been even better when you consider that during the three-year stint between 2003-05, when the Tornado lost only eight games, six of those defeats were handed down by Chenango Forks, which won back-to-back state championships in 2003 and 2004, while finishing runner-up in 2005.

Pluta arrived on the Norwich scene in 1986 when he was hired to teach Social Studies. In addition to his classroom commitments, he assisted then head man Bill Congdon for three falls as a defensive coach. When Congdon, who Pluta called “the best game-day coach I ever worked with,” left to begin studies in administration, the latter began a two-decade tenure in 1989. Besides his football duties, Pluta also was an assistant track coach at Norwich for 21 seasons.

“From the outset, I wanted to establish a sound defense every year. Offensively I knew what I liked – the trapping game and the Slot-I – both of which I used at Harpursville and my first year at Norwich,” recalled Pluta. “I always admired what Dick Hoover did at Vestal and later what his son, Jim, did at Walton. And, a Vestal defensive coach named Abe Ferris had put together a program called ‘The Vestal System of Football.’

“So, we took our players to a clinic staff meeting hosted by Jim Hoover. What they talked about clicked with me, because it could be used with any size and talent of kids. You didn’t need to adjust from year to year, because it was a series of symmetrical football patterns.”

Over the course of those next 20 campaigns, the Pluta-led Tornado won three Class B crowns in 1992, 1993 and 1999 and eight divisional titles in addition to recording a school-record 20-game winning streak during the 1992 and 1993 seasons. That ‘92 outfit, which matched the ‘93 club with a 10-1 mark, went as far as a team could venture in capturing a Regional championship with a 28-14 triumph over Section V’s Hilton in Rochester – the year before the New York State championship playoffs began.

Following a loss to Binghamton in the 1992 opener, Norwich outscored its next 10 foes 311-59 as the Purple posted four shutouts and allowed more than one touchdown only twice. The streak continued throughout most of 1993, when the Tornado outscored the opposition 319-62 before they suffered a narrow 21-20 defeat to Chittenango as mounting injuries took their toll.

For his on-the-field successes, Pluta was named Coach of the Year in 1992 by the Press & Sun-Bulletin and Section IV, while being tabbed the 1993 Coach of the Year at the 29th annual Binghamton Coaches Clinic.

“It was great how respected our program was throughout the section and state. Even the Forks coaches remarked about the way we played the game,” said an obvious proud Pluta. “We were both physically and fundamentally sound, and at all times respectful. I’m proud of all those young men whom I coached.

“Our offense was one of the best in the section for years,” continued Pluta. “And, credit Coach (John) Martinson with our defense. We ran man-to-man a number of years, putting a lot of pressure on people.”

Martinson, who assisted Pluta for all 20 falls, has nothing but praise to shower on his former colleague. “It’s extremely difficult for me to put into words what my relationship with Coach Pluta was because it encompassed so much more than just football. First, and foremost, John was and still is a great friend. He possesses the greatest attribute that anyone looks for in a strong friendship, and that is endearing trust. As coaches, husbands, fathers and men, John and I could trust each other with our deepest concerns about football and life, because they go hand in hand.