Seton-La Salle welcomes Coach Carter

Rob Carter’s coaching career commenced when Lou Cerro asked him an innocent enough question.
“What are you doing?” the then-Seton-La Salle football coach inquired of Carter, regarding his plans for a Friday evening back in 2000. When he replied, “Nothing,” Carter received his first assignment.
Sixteen years later, he remembers it well. Carter scouted the Brownsville versus Southmoreland game. “It turned out to be one of the longest games in the history of the WPIAL.
“Six overtimes,” remarked Carter. “They scheduled fireworks for after the game, and they did go off until well after 11:30 p.m.”
That long night never defused Carter’s enthusiasm. He’s been with his alma mater ever since. Most recently, Carter has been promoted to head football coach at Seton-La Salle. He replaces Damon Rosol, who resigned for personal reasons. Rosol was 18-5 in two seasons at the helm.
“They haven’t been able to get rid of me,” Carter said with a laugh. “Seriously, though, I am really excited. Obviously this is a great opportunity. Coaching and teaching have been a big part of my life here at Seton-La Salle.”
SLS has been a part of Carter’s existence since he attended the high school, graduating in 1998. Upon receiving a degree in computer science at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Carter earned his teaching certification and a master’s degree in history from Robert Morris University and embarked on his career at SLS. He teaches social studies and computer science, along with coaching football. In fact, before reaching the helm, Carter has coached every position except quarterbacks.
During his first two years, Carter basically coached the offensive line, which at the time featured Gino Gradkowski.
Gradkowski played his first NFL season with the Baltimore Ravens, who won a Super Bowl championship that year. In March, Gradkowski signed a three-year, $3.15 million free agent contract with the Carolina Panthers.
“I played a small role in his success,” Carter said teasingly.
When the Rebels won the WPIAL title in 2004, Carter served as running back coach.
When Cerro, who was 82-46-1 with two WPIAL championships, left for Montour in early 2005, Greg Perry moved from offensive coordinator to head coach. In nine years, Perry posted a 73-24 record that featured eight playoff appearances and two WPIAL semifinal games. Carter served as Perry’s wide receivers and defensive backs coach.
During Rosol’s reign, Carter controlled the defense.
“Those three guys have been the biggest influences in my career. I’ve learned so much from each of them. Lou gave me my first shot and Darren a shot to be a defensive coordinator, but much of what I know I’ve learned from Greg. I learned offense from him. He’s helped me so much.”
In his first few months calling the shots, Carter has learned plenty on his own. He’s made the choices.
“Ultimately when you are the head coach, the decisions regarding the program fall on you, and you handle business accordingly,” said Carter, who grew up in Upper St. Clair. “I have had great support from the administration, the other coaches, the parents and the players. Everybody is working hard. We all seem to be on the same page and it’s good when people are backing you up.”
One of Carter’s chief supporters also happens to be one of his primary opponents this season. Perry is now the head coach of Keystone Oaks, which sits across from Seton-La Salle High School, separated only by McNeilly Road in Mt. Lebanon. The two talk every morning, says Carter of his mentor.
“I really cut my teeth in coaching with Greg. He held my hand and has helped me through the hard, hard times,” he said.
“I have learned so many things from Greg,” Carter continued. “Be up front. Be Honest. It’s great to have friends and it’s great to have people like you but it is better to have respect.”
The most important thing that Carter respects is the heritage that is Seton-La Salle. The school has produced many prestigious graduates, many of whom have come back to serve in some capacity, including coaching. In addition to Cerro, notables include Terry Totten, who has built Central Catholic into a powerhouse, Greg Gattuso and Tom Donahoe. From 1989-91, Gattuso coached the Rebels to a 28-10-1 record that included three playoff appearances, a WPIAL championship and a PIAA runner-up showing. Gattuso currently coaches at the University of Albany.
Donahoe, who served as Buffalo Bills general manager and as Pittsburgh Steelers director of football operations, coached the Rebels to WPIAL titles in 1979 and 1980.
“It’s an honor and privilege to be head coach at SLS,” Carter said. “The legacy goes back a long way, and it’s a lot to live up. It’s awesome and scary at the same time. For me, it’s a privilege, and I’ve had a lot of help getting to this point. At Seton-La Salle, we are all in this together. It’s a brotherhood.”
Carter knows the brotherhood of playing at Seton-La Salle because he was a Rebel. During his junior year, his team competed in the WPIAL semifinals, losing to Aliquippa. Now as coach and a teacher, he wants to replicate that among his players. Carter’s mission is to create a classroom on the field.
“I want my players to learn life lessons that will help further them down the road,” he said.
Team is critical to Carter’s objectives, and he wants all his players to know that they have a role to play.
“We are not all the best players,” he said. “Whether you are the starting quarterback or a second-team linebacker, we all have a role to play on the team, and I want to make sure you feel a part of this. I’ve learned that it’s not about the X’s and O’s. It’s about the Jimmies and the Joes.
“We’re hoping to provide the best experience for these kids. Sure, we want to win but we will do it the right way. We’ll do it with well-behaved kids and do it with class.”
Carter said the Rebels will do it the Seton-La Salle way, “with hard work” and “with a smile” on the players’ faces.
Carter recognizes the people who put the biggest smiles on his face while he pursues his passion. They are his wife, Stacie, and his daughters, Nataliegh, 10, and Madilyn, 5.
“My wife is supportive,” he said. “She allows me to do what I love. I could not ask for a better wife.
“And my girls,” he added. “They are the princesses in and outside of the football season.”