Larry Wendereusz resigns as Slippery Rock football coach after 10 seasons, two District 10 final appearances
In the wake of his 10th season as Slippery Rock High’s head football coach, Larry Wendereusz said he was looking forward to the 2026 season.
Two months later, he’s had a change of heart.
Athletic director Brie Simons accepted Wendereusz’s letter of resignation Jan. 6. The district is accepting applications for the position until Jan. 23.
“I talked things over with my wife (Tricia), looked at all the time and effort we’ve put into the program for a decade,” Wendereusz said. “I’m fortunate enough to have my parents still around, my wife’s mother is still around. It’s time for me to back up and spend more time with family.”
Wendereusz compiled a 43-59 record with the Rockets, reaching the District 10 final in back-to-back years, 2021 and 2022, before falling to rival Grove City both times. Slippery Rock finished 4-6 in 2025.
“One game that definitely sticks out for me is when we beat Hickory in the District 10 semifinal in 2021,” he said. “The look on our players’ and coaches’ faces, just knowing that we had reached the championship game, that was a very special night.”
But Wendereusz hopes his players have taken with them more than lessons learned on the football field.
“My second year at Slippery Rock (2017), our players came up with a motto: ‘Better in the Community, Better in the Classroom, Better on the Field,’” he said. “It didn’t always show up with wins on the field, but we believe we made an impact with kids in other ways.”
Under Wendereusz, the Rockets took part in a number of community activities, such as placing flags on veterans’ graves for Memorial Day and helping to provide Christmas gifts to local disadvantaged families.
Wendereusz lives in Evans City. He has been a math teacher in the Seneca Valley School District for 29 years. Prior to becoming head coach at Slippery Rock in 2016, he was an assistant coach at SV under four head coaches — Terry Henry, Mike Buchert, Bob Ceh and Don Holl. He also assisted Jason Gildon at North Catholic for one season.
“I was fortunate to work under guys who let me gain experience in all aspects of coaching,” he said. “They knew my aspirations.
“My coaching career is not over. I don’t know where or when I’ll coach next, but I will coach again.”
