ERIE — When Bernie Null, 79, recalled his old high school coach, he smiled. One of just 37 graduates of Erie High’s class of 1953, Mr. Null showed off his senior yearbook, which was dedicated to George Smilanich, a dashing, dark-haired young man whose photo is prominently featured. “He was really well-liked when he was here,” said Mr. Null, who played basketball, football and track under the direction of Mr. Smilanich. “He was a great guy.” Mr. Smilanich has attracted national attention for his role in helping coach the makers of Brad Pitt’s new World War II film, “Fury.” …”One thing about him — he could tell you what he wanted you to do, and if you couldn’t do it, he would show you,” Mr. Null said. “He was athletic enough and young enough.” “They were having track practice one night, the pole vaulters, and they’d get up around 10 or 10-1/2 feet. He always wore generally a blue suit, a white shirt, a tie and wing-tipped shoes, always,” he said of the coach. “He always was dressed to kill. He made the statement, ‘Anybody could pole-vault that high,’ and the guys started to rag on him. And he grabbed the pole and went over it with his dress shoes on.” more
