Perry brings wisdom and enthusiasm to Mt. Lebanon


Greg Perry brings a wealth of knowledge to his new position as head coach of the Mt. Lebanon High School football team
Physically, Greg Perry is every bit his age. At 62, he’s already had both knees replaced. In mid-May, he underwent shoulder replacement surgery.
Mentally, however, he is every bit a youngster. Just as the teenagers that he is tasked with coaching at Mt. Lebanon High School, he is young at heart.
“I think sports makes us younger. The more you are around kids, the younger you feel,” Perry said. “Coaching doesn’t age you. I don’t feel the number because being around kids with energy makes you have energy, too, and your mind stays young. This brings me youth.”
While the Blue Devils are providing pep to his step, Perry is dispensing wisdom. For more than three decades, he has patrolled the South Hills sidelines and beyond.
Last fall, he served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Canon-McMillan. Prior to that he spent two seasons as an assistant at Duquesne University.
Before those assignments, Perry has enjoyed a long and storied head coaching career at the high school level. He spent eight seasons at Keystone Oaks and guided his alma mater to seven playoff appearances, including two WPIAL semifinals, from 2014 through 2022.
For nearly 20 years, he roamed the sidelines at Seton LaSalle. After serving as an assistant and offensive coordinator from 1994-2004, he assumed the reins as head coach. From 2005-2013, he led the Rebels to three WPIAL semifinal showings. During his entire tenure at SLS, the Rebels won a pair of WPIAL titles and were state finalists in 2002.
Perry worked with seven all-state quarterbacks, including former NFL signal-caller and WPIAL Hall of Famer Bruce Gradkowski. His other proteges included Bill Stull, Shane Patterson, Matt Rodgers, Luke Brumbaugh, Anthony Doria, Alex Smith and Logan Shrubb.
Stull excelled at Pitt and Doria went on to become a record-setting signal-caller at St. Francis University before settling into his coaching career. He is in his 14th season as offensive coordinator at Duquesne University.
When asked if he was bringing his passing philosophy to Mt. Lebanon, Perry replied, “Yes. Absolutely. It’s the only thing I know.”
He added that his approach has ‘brought success’ and he plans to use the quarterback as Lebo’s ‘main’ offensive weapon. “We want to put pressure on teams by passing but we also have to run the ball effectively.”
To be an effective football coach at Mt. Lebanon Perry is tapping into his roots, his experiences as well as his respect for hard work and honoring tradition.
Perry grew up in Dormont and lived on Peermont Avenue. A 1979 Keystone Oaks graduate, he met his wife, Kelley, at the Red Bull Inn, which used to occupy a spot on Washington Road.
The couple have lived in Greentree for 32 years. The Perrys had two daughters, Ashley and Lindsey. Ashley has given them five grandchildren.
“Football is about building relationships and I want to have great relationships with these players. I have experience dealing with kids so I would think I could guide them. Be a role model, a father figure for them. A person that they could lean on,” Perry said.
Perry wants his players to believe in him and his philosophy. He wants them to “buy into’ what the coaches are selling. It’s more than just being competitive and vying for championships because that’s the objective everywhere.
“Our kids are responsive to all we ask. They understand what it takes and are willing to put the work in but what we are selling is being a great teammate and becoming a better person,” he said. “Football is the ultimate team game. If you are an individualist, then you are not in the right sport.”
Perry has worked in the right job for 32 years. He is a technician for Verizon. Because he works with a six-man crew, he sees parallels to team sports like football.
“You are working together. Coming together for a common goal,” he said. “You have to communicate with others. Really, it’s life and about being a good person.”
Perry feels he is the right person for the job of carrying on the traditions held in high esteem at Mt. Lebanon. He is cognizant of the history carved out by legends that have come before him.
“Because I grew up in that era, I know the tradition. The wrestling program with (George) Lamprinakos. Basketball with (Dick) Black. (Art) Walker in football. There is a tradition of high standards in athletics and education at the same time and I want to be part of that. I want to maintain that pride as well as continue and preserve that history. It’s a challenge but a good challenge.”
Just as bridging the age gap is.
“It’s great being around kids and ones that want to grasp knowledge and respect the things you cherish, too,” Perry concluded.