GROVE CITY — There was nowhere else Sam Mowrey wanted to be.

For the past 10 seasons, Mowrey has served as a defensive coach and coordinator for the Grove City High football team.

He would have been happy to stay in that role.

“I would have been a defensive coach for 20 more years,” Mowrey said.

There were no other jobs to pursue. There was no leaving for another football coaching post in another school district.

Not for Mowrey, a former quarterback for the Grove City College football team, who has set down some serious roots in the Mercer County town.

Now, he doesn’t have to go anywhere to get a head coaching shot.

Jeff Bell spent 17 years as the head football coach for the Eagles before stepping down in January.

Monday night, Mowrey was hired as his replacement.

“It’s always been one of by goals,” Mowrey said of being a head coach. “I got hired here right out of college. Jeff had an opening and it’s been my first and only job.”

Until now.

Mowrey, 33, is an eighth-grade science teacher in the Grove City School District. After the initial shock of Bell’s resignation wore off, Mowrey applied for the vacancy.

Most of Bell’s staff will return, Mowrey said. One notable exception is offensive coordinator Keith Degraaf, who spent more than a decade with Bell.

Mowrey, who threw for 1,468 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior for the Wolverines in 2003, will also run the offense.

“Playing quarterback in college, I’ve always had the itch to coach that side of the ball,” Mowrey said. “I think it helps that I’ve spent the last 10 years coaching the defense. I’ve been able to see all kinds of different offenses and what gave them problems.”

But Mowrey doesn’t plan on implementing too many new wrinkles to the Eagles’ attack.

“I think it will be a smooth transition,” Mowrey said. “Jeff has taught me everything I’ve known coaching-wise. In the big picture, nothing will change.”

Bell posted a 114-67 record in his 17 years at the helm, including three District 10 titles, two 10-0 regular seasons and a trip to the PIAA championship game in 2004 — which was Mowrey’s first season on the staff.

Mowrey said he hopes to keep program at that same high level.

As an eighth-grade teacher and a former seventh-grade basketball coach, Mowrey has been able to form a relationship with the kids in the junior high program.

“Continuity and consistency,” Mowrey said. “I think teaching in the district is extremely important. The nice thing is I get these kids for five years.”

Mowrey said he also learned a great deal that prepared him for this opportunity from Grove City College head football coach Chris Smith, who has been with the Wolverines for nearly three decades.

“He taught me more than just football,” Mowrey said. “I loved him and the rest of the coaching staff. He helped me develop leadership skills off the field and what being a part of the team really meant.”

Mowrey said he hopes he can follow in the big footsteps made by Bell at Grove City.

“I can’t thank Jeff enough,” Mowrey said. “I’m excited to take over for one of the great all-time Mercer County coaches.”