Ex-SV coach Holl accepts Gateway job
CRANBERRY TWP — Don Holl’s absence from the head-coaching ranks lasted just one season.
The Cranberry Township resident, who guided Seneca Valley’s varsity football team from 2009-14, was approved Tuesday night to become the head coach at Gateway High School.
Holl becomes the Gators’ fourth head coach in five seasons and takes over for Tom Nola, who coached the Gators to a 9-10 record and one WPIAL Class AAA playoff appearance over the last two seasons.
“I knew I wanted to be a head coach again,” said Holl, 50. “If the right opportunity came along, I’d be interested. Gateway is traditionally a good program and I got a good vibe during the interview process.
“I feel the administration there will be supportive. The athletic director, Randy Rovesti, played football at Gateway and they are committed to being good in football.”
Before arriving at Seneca Valley, Holl was the head coach at Tunkhannock High School in northeastern Pennsylvania from 1995-98 and at his alma mater, Cathedral Prep, from 2005-08.
While with the Raiders, he compiled an overall record of 37-25 and reached the WPIAL Class AAAA playoffs four times. He resigned his position following the 2014 season and spent this past fall as the offensive coordinator at New Castle. The Red Hurricane went 5-5, including a first-round playoff loss.
“It was a great opportunity at New Castle. That program has a great tradition, they’ve won over 700 games there,” Holl said. “Even though the Gateway School District hasn’t been around as long, I feel they have a similar tradition.”
Holl remains a teacher in the Seneca Valley School District.
“The drive (to Gateway) is probably on the edge of how far I’d be willing to go,” he said.
With the realignment in Pennsylvania high school football, Gateway has been placed in 5-A. Holl awaits the announcement of what teams will be included in Gateway’s conference.
For now, he is just excited to be leading a program once again.
“I’m meeting the kids on Tuesday,” he said. “Looking at the players coming back, I think we can be an elite program.”
