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Slippery Rock football 2026 preview: What to watch, 3 things to know and schedule

Slippery Rock's Aiden Shay catches a pass during football practice Friday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Slippery Rock High School's Diehl Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle

To say Steve Monteleone hasn’t been groomed to be a head football coach would be a gross understatement.

Monteleone, offensive coordinator at Slippery Rock last year, is the new head coach of the Rockets. At age 60, it is his first head coaching gig after spending years as an assistant at Butler, Penn Hills and North Allegheny.

He also founded the It’s About The Warrior Foundation in 2011 and serves as president.

“He’s a true leader,” said Mike Buchert, SR’s new offensive coordinator. “Steve is perfect for this job.”

Monteleone replaces Larry Wendereusz, who stepped down as Slippery Rock head coach at the end of last season. Wendereusz was 43-58 with seven playoff appearances in 10 seasons.

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Slippery Rock head coach Steve Monteleone instructs during football practice Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, at Slippery Rock High School's Diehl Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle

The Rockets are looking to turn around a 4-6 season that saw them lose four games by 14 or fewer points.

“We were a first-half team last year,” receiver/cornerback Logan Schlobohm said. “We had the lead or were tied at halftime in a lot of games and just didn’t show up for the second half. We didn’t finish.

“We can already feel a different mindset this year. Everybody’s hungry. We know what we can be. We plan on turning those games around.”

Monteleone said the experience and attitude are in place to do just that. The Rockets have nine at-least-part-time starters returning on both sides of the ball.

Related Article: Slippery Rock High hires Steve Monteleone as head football coach, replacing Larry Wendereusz

“Accountability and responsibility,” the coach said. “That’s important in life and that’s important on the football field. The kids are responding to that philosophy.”

The impact of this attitude change is evident in the roster numbers. Aiden Shay, a senior running back, has returned to football after not playing his sophomore and junior years. Others have joined him.

“We have 10 guys who came out for the team who didn’t play last year,” receiver/safety Cole Schwartz said. “A lot of those guys are seniors. We’re excited about a strong team that we can put together here.”

Monteleone’s goals are basic ones.

“Just get better each week. Be accountable for everything we do,” he said. “Improve one practice at a time, one play at a time. If we do that, the wins will come.”

Related Article: For Slippery Rock football is to turn things around, senior Cole Schwartz will be ‘counted on’
Slippery Rock's Dom Mineo runs the ball during football practice Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, at Slippery Rock High School's Diehl Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
3 things to know about 2026 Slippery Rock Rockets football

1. Run, run, run: While Slippery Rock’s top three rushers from 2025 are gone, Monteleone plans to run the football — and do so often — with Shay and Alex Cornelius serving as the top running backs.

“Those guys are tough runners, and our line is strong with guys like Trent Reich, Noah Cornelius, Cole Staab,” Monteleone said. “We should be able to grind it out.”

“Running the ball behind this offensive line is definitely our strength on offense,” the coach said.

Shay has not played in two years. Cornelius had nine carries a season ago.

“I plan to go to college for wrestling, so this is my only football season,” Shay said. “I have to get used to being hit a little bit, I know, but I’m leaving it all out there this year.”

Junior quarterback John Petras, at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, is a versatile athlete who can add to that running game. He plays baseball, as well.

2. Physicality on defense: Monteleone doesn’t see any issues on the defensive side.

“Honestly, we’re strong everywhere on that side of the ball,” he said. “And we’re gonna hit.”

The aforementioned offensive linemen will line up on the d-line. Kaine Humphrey and Mitch Stadtmiller are veteran linebackers who will anchor that unit. Dom Mineo is a standout at safety.

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“We’ll be playing a 4-2-5, the same defense we ran at North Allegheny for years,” Monteleone said. “We’ll keep things simple: be aggressive and run to the football. Defense should be the strength of our team.”

Schlobohm said, “I love our secondary. We’re pretty fast, and we all know each other. We can make some plays back there, just like we can use that speed to make plays in the passing game.”

3. Community coaches: Longtime Slippery Rock football fans will recognize the men on the sidelines.

Most of them have played for the Rockets at some point. Dylan Neal, Ryan Montgomery and J.J. Miller are just a few of those assistants. Buchert, an offensive line coach under Wendereusz, is now the offensive coordinator.

“This is a good mix,” Monteleone said. “Most of this staff has grown up here, come through the program. They’re community-minded people who care very much about what happens here.

“Mike is a veteran coach who we were able to bring back. All of the coaches have bought into what we’re trying to do, and that’s where it starts.”

Penalties hurt the Rockets last year. Monteleone insists that will change.

“We were undisciplined on the field, took too many personal foul penalties that really hurt us,” he said. “It was embarrassing at times. Believe me, that stuff is going away. There is a lot of pride here.”

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Slippery Rock's Logan Schlobohm (4), Aiden Shay, back center, and Cole Schwartz (11) watch their celebration video during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock football schedule 2026
  • Aug. 28, 7 — Wilmington at Slippery Rock
  • Sept. 4, 7 — Slippery Rock at Conneaut*
  • Sept. 11, 7 — Titusville at Slippery Rock*
  • Sept. 19, 7 — Iroquois at Slippery Rock
  • Sept. 25, 7 — Slippery Rock at Greenville
  • Oct. 2, 7 — Fort LeBoeuf at Slippery Rock*
  • Oct. 9, 7 — Sharon at Slippery Rock*
  • Oct. 16, 7 — Slippery Rock at Grove City*
  • Oct. 23, 7 — Slippery Rock at Hickory*
  • Oct. 31, 7 — Slippery Rock at Fairview

*Region game

Slippery Rock record last 5 years

2025: 4-6

2024: 3-7

2023: 1-8

2022: 7-5*

2021: 7-2*

*Made playoffs

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