South Fayette’s Rossi reaches coaching milestone
Joe Rossi communicates with his coaches in the booth as they figure out the play to run next during South Fayette’s football game.
South Fayette head coach Joe Rossi instructs a player during a timeout in a pre-season scrimmage. Though he recently registered his 100th career victory, Rossi says it is for the players that he coaches.
After steering South Fayette past Carlynton, 41-7, for his 100th victory in his coaching career, Joe Rossi accepted congratulations, humbly and graciously. He took little credit for the milestone.
“I’ve been fortunate,” he said. “I’ve had good players and I’ve coached at good programs.”
After racking up a 26-23 record at Riverview, Rossi arrived at South Fayette in 2007. So far in eight seasons, he has amassed a 74-16 mark that includes one PIAA title and two WPIAL championships. Rossi is 100-39 overall.
Noting how special South Fayette is and achieving the milestone where he makes a home not far from the high school, Rossi credited the district for his success. “Eight year ago, they welcomed me here,” he said. “It’s a special place. The sports are special. The teams win. The academics are real good. Yes, it’s great to be a part of this place.”
People like Rossi make it such a great place. He’s a winner but not just because he produces on the gridiron.
Rossi is not concerned about becoming the best there ever was. He has years and time to coach up to legendary field general Jim Render. At 72, he still is coaching at USC. He is one of the winningest coaches in the country.
“I’m not sure I’m going to last that long,” Rossi said with a laugh.
That’s not one of Rossi’s long-range goals. Neither are victories.
“I love being around the kids and seeing them succeed,” he said of his coaching philosophy. He noted how he keeps in touch with his former players, tracking their progress in college and in life. In fact, many of the players he coached at Riverview still text him on game days.
“Those are the things you remember. Those are the memories. Those are the rewarding moments [in coaching],” he said. “Seeing people succeed is why the good coaches do this. We care about the kids.”
After excelling at Chartiers Valley High School and captaining West Liberty University, Rossi took great care to improve the program at Riverview. Though he was 26-23 during his tenure, he only left after a 7-3 season in his fifth year of coaching to accept the position at South Fayette. He fondly remembers his second season, a 5-5 campaign in which the Raiders upset Springdale in the last game of the regular season. The Dynamos went on to capture the 2003 WPIAL Class A championship at Heinz Field.
“Nobody gave us a shot,” Rossi noted. “That was memorable and so rewarding,”
Obviously, last year’s state championship win against Imhotep Charter and winning WPIAL titles at Heinz Field also rank among the memorable Top 100 wins. Yet, Rossi also noted beating Keystone Oaks as a key triumph. The Lions had lost to the Golden Eagles the previous season, 53-3.
“That was an awesome game. The win was a big step in us establishing the program here [at South Fayette],” he said.
Some 50 years ago, the Lions produced another established winner. In 1964, they claimed a WPIAL title. In addition to celebrating Rossi’s 100 victories, the Lions will celebrate that club when they host Steel Valley this week.
Twenty-five members of that squad are expected to attend the festivities Oct. 3 as well as one of the surviving members from the 1932 team.
“It’s going to be a great game and a great night. Those players are all responsible for what we have here today,” Rossi said. “For them to come back, including that 93-year-old gentleman, is a tribute to this school and we are grateful for what they have done to lay the foundation for the future. We are champions today because of them. They are the true champions.”
Ironmen next for SF
South Fayette hopes to continue towards a Century Conference championship and more records, however, the Ironmen are the next opponent standing in the way. Steel Valley features DeWayne Murray and Trey Earl Edwards. Each rushed for over 100 yards in the Ironmen’s 28-26 win against Quaker Valley. Murray ranks in the Top 10 for rushing in the WPIAL. He averages more than 10 yards per carry.
“They are a good track team,” Rossi said, noting the Ironmen’s speed. “They have three kids with tremendous speed. We have to contain them. We have to bottle them up. Do our own thing.”
In running its record to 5-0 this season and winning streak to 21 games with a 41-7 win against Carlynton, the Lions have been doing their own thing. They received an outstanding effort by the wide outs and offensive line as Brett Brumbaugh continued his assault on the WPIAL passing records. He is 104 yards away from breaking the WPIAL career passing yardages record of 8,508 and two touchdown passes away from the career record of 102. The senior signal caller completed 10 of 13 aerials for 268 yards and four touchdowns against the Cougars.
Anthony Davis anchors the O-line at left tackle. Guards Alex Minford and Zack Radinick, center Nick Dabrowski and right guards Jason Massey-Sears as well as Vinniy Rossi complete the fearsome front.
“Our wide receivers have come along,” said Rossi, noting SF had plenty to replace from last year’s championship club, including WPIAL record-maker Justin Watson, now at Penn. “They are making plays for Brett.
“Our offensive line has also done a nice job,” added Rossi, who also noted that Brumbaugh has not been sacked this season. “Those guys up front have made sure that they have kept Brett upright.”
Upright is where the Lions hope to stay if they intend on weathering the pressure of repeating as conference champions. After Steel Valley, they visit Seton-La Salle and finish with Quaker Valley. The Rebels are undefeated and the Quakers are 3-2.
“We have our hands full. The last part of the season will be a challenge,” Rossi said. “We will find out what kind of team we are. The kids are focused on who they have ahead. They are only focused on the next game.”