Archive for March 24th, 2010

By Michael DiVittorio,
McKeesport Daily News (via Trib)

Steel Valley High School football players got the man they wanted as their new head coach.

The school board on Tuesday unanimously approved the hiring of West Homestead resident Rodney R. Steele II to replace Ray Braszo, who resigned as the Ironmen’s head coach after being hired as West Mifflin Area’s football coach last month.

Steel Valley players Delrece Williams, Jared Juristy and Nolan McGuire, all heading into their senior season, came to the February workshop meeting to lend their support for Steele before the new coaching position even had been posted.

Their request was honored Tuesday night, and Steele was welcomed with a round of applause.

“It’s good getting a fresh start here,” Steele said after the meeting. “It’s an honor and a privilege to be able to come back home and serve as a head football coach where you reside and where you’re employed. I’m familiar with the kids in the area. I look forward to working with the faculty and administration, and also helping these young men achieve their goals in football and in society as being well-rounded citizens.”

Steele coached many of the team’s current players when he served as Steel Valley Youth Football Organization’s offensive coordinator in 2003 and defensive coordinator in 2004.

[Full story available at: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/dailynewsmckeesport/s_673148.html]