FOX CHAPEL — Freeport High welcomed Eric Ravotti back to football.

Ravotti is hoping to welcome wins back to Fox Chapel.

The Freeport graduate and former Steelers linebacker was named the Foxes' head football coach at the Fox Chapel school board meeting Monday night.

Ravotti, 39, of Pine Township had no experience as a high school football coach before accepting a volunteer position with the Yellowjackets last season.

“It doesn't surprise me at all that he got that job,” Freeport coach John Gaillot said. “It was just a matter of time. He works so well with kids. They listen intently when he speaks.”

Freeport was 7-4 last fall, losing to eventual WPIAL Class AA champion South Fayette in the quarterfinals.

Ravotti's brother, Chad, has been on Freeport's staff for 11 years.

“Coach Gaillot runs a first-class program,” Eric Ravotti said. “Working with those guys lit a fire under me.

“I knew I wanted to get into coaching high school ball eventually. I have two sons (ages 6 and 9) who are into sports and I wanted to help them get their athletic careers started first.

“The Fox Chapel opportunity just presented itself and I'm excited about it,” he added.

Ravotti replaces Bryan Deal, who resigned after posting a 15-42 record with one playoff appearance in six seasons. The Foxes were 1-8 last year and were outscored 325-127.

Fox Chapel hasn't had a winning season since 2002 and has enjoyed only four winning campaigns in the past 20 years.

“With that type of history, the problems are mental and physical,” Ravotti said. “We need to spike up the football enrollment there, that's for sure.

“If you're not up into the 80s in numbers (of players), it's hard to compete favorably at the Quad-A level.”

Fox Chapel ended last season with fewer than 50 players.

Ravotti said he hopes some of the coaches he will bring with him, such as former Steelers punter Josh Miller, will generate interest in the program.

“This staff will be unique to this league in that we're going to run things like a professional camp,” said Ravotti, who was with the Steelers from 1994-96. “These players are going to be taught the way professional players are taught.

“This is going to be a pro-style operation and I think the kids will respond to that.”

Ravotti, who has served as a consultant for various high school teams for several years, worked with the defensive ends and tight ends at Freeport.

“Eric is a motivator who knows the game and knows how to work with young people,” Gaillot said.

Fox Chapel competes in the Big East section with traditional powers Central Catholic, Woodland Hills and Penn Hills.

“You can't put a bull's-eye on any of those programs. They just reload every year. Their second-teamers would be first-teamers at most other schools,” Ravotti said.

“Our goal is to be competitive and earn one of the four playoff seeds in the section.”

Ravotti was coached by the likes of Tom Bradley and Jerry Sandusky at Penn State, and Marvin Lewis, Dom Capers and Dick LeBeau with the Steelers. Gary Kepple was his coach at Freeport.

“I'll take stuff I learned from all of those guys and incorporate it into my philosophy as a coach,” Ravotti said. “At this level, you just need to understand the game of football and stay at the forefront of the evolution of the game.

“I feel like I can do that.”