EAST PALESTINE — The East Palestine board of education will vote tonight on hiring Rick Shepas as the new head football coach.

Shepas, the Warren Harding athletic director, was head coach as Massillon for seven years before becoming Waynesburg University’s winningest coach.

He is being recommended by superintendent James Rook, according to the board agenda. The board will meet at 6 p.m. today at the elementary media center.

Shepas starred at Youngstown Mooney High School and was Youngstown State’s leading receiver in the 1985 and 1986 seasons. He still ranks fourth all-time in YSU history with 150 career receptions and 2,263 yards receiving.

He was an assistant coach at Alliance in 1989 and at Poland from 1990-92. Then Shepas was head coach at Poland from 1993-95, Seneca Valley (Pa.) from 1996-1997 and Massillon from 1998-2004. He went 69-55 in 12 seasons at Waynesburg (Pa.) University.

He replaces Michael Demster, who led the Bulldogs to an 8-4 season last fall and a 17-25 record over four seasons