For Slippery Rock football is to turn things around, senior Cole Schwartz will be ‘counted on’
His numbers last year were modest, at best — two carries for 11 yards, three catches for 21 yards.
But this is a new season. And Slippery Rock senior Cole Schwartz plans on making it count in multiple ways.
He’ll be involved in the running game, passing game, defense and special teams.
“We’re counting on him for a lot of things,” first-year Rockets football coach Steve Monteleone said. “He’s athletic and very fast. He’s a track kid and is very explosive. We want to get him the ball in space and cut him loose.”
Schwartz figures to line up at slot back on offense, free safety on defense. He will return kickoffs, as well.
“I can’t wait for us to get started,” Schwartz said. “I feel like things are set up for me to make an impact. Our offensive line is so good that we’ll have time to throw the football, and we can be creative that way.”
Defensively, Schwartz played cornerback a year ago. He favors the move to free safety.
“Just a lot more freedom there,” he said of the his position. “I can roam around back there, act on impulse in terms of pass coverage. This gives me more opportunity to come up and help stuff the run, too.
“Returning kickoffs is something I enjoy. I don’t even think about those plays when they’re happening. Just get the ball and go, run as fast as I can. My track instincts kind of take over there.”
Schwartz is encouraged by the experience on the 2026 edition of Slippery Rock football after last year’s 4-6 season.
“We’re gonna have 10 seniors on the field playing,” he said. “Last year, we only had four or five. That’s going to make a difference.”
Monteleone described Schwartz as “very smart, someone who will be a great leader on defense. He’ll make a great safety because he is such an intelligent football player.”
Schwartz was also instrumental in uniting the team after Monteleone was hired as head coach.
“When I got this job, Cole was the first player to truly commit to what I wanted this program to be about,” the coach said. “He talked to the other players, helped get the ball rolling that way.
“He’s already impacted this program in so many ways.”
Schwartz said he recognized Slippery Rock football moving in a positive direction.
“The culture was better, the team attitude was better,” he said. “It was easy to get behind that. On defense, everybody knows his role. We’re a united group with no excuses.
“My goal here is the District 10 championship. That’s very important to us. What I do as an individual, I don’t care … as long as we get there.”
