City League mourns death of longtime Allderdice football coach Jerry Haslett

By: Chris Harlan
Wednesday, July 24, 2024 | 11:50 PM

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Longtime City League coach Jerry Haslett, who hailed from a football family, died Wednesday. He was 59.

A hall of fame athlete at Clarion, Haslett was football coach at Allderdice since 2009. He won three City League titles with the Dragons and had them in the finals nine times in 15 seasons.

He worked as a teacher and athletic director at the school in Squirrel Hill, and previously was an assistant football coach at Oliver. Pittsburgh Public Schools confirmed his death in a statement Wednesday night.

“We are deeply saddened to learn about the tragic passing of Pittsburgh Allderdice teacher and coach, Jerry Haslett. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends,” the school district said.

A 1982 Northgate graduate, Haslett had an outstanding college football career at Clarion, where he was a four-year starter, earning hall of fame enshrinement in 2006.

Clarion also inducted his brother, Jon, in 2009. Another Haslett brother, Jim, played and coached in the NFL and was enshrined in the IUP hall of fame.

The school district described Jerry Haslett as “a stalwart presence at Pittsburgh Allderdice” since he joined the school’s staff as a business teacher in 2007. His tenure with Pittsburgh Public Schools started in 2001 at Perry.

The district noted that the City League football title Allderdice won in 2017 was the school’s first in 50 years. The Dragons added two more titles in 2018 and ’21.

“Coach Haslett was known for his hard work, quick wit and heart of gold,” the school district said. “He always put students first and developed long-lasting relationships with students and peers. His impact stretched far beyond their time in high school, with many joining him as peers and assistant coaches on the football team.

“Jerry had many talents, serving as the school’s Activities and Athletic Directors. He planned homecoming dances and football plays, always doing what it took to make things special for students. Mr. Haslett leaves a lasting mark on our hearts and minds, and his memory will live on through the students he served.”

The district said Student Assistance providers would be available in-person or remotely. Information about the available support would be shared with families, the school said.

The number of football teams in the City League dwindled in recent years, down to five with a sixth playing an independent schedule, but Haslett remained an ardent advocate.

Allderdice went 63-85 overall in his 15 seasons with a 47-31 mark in regular-season City League games.

As a senior at Clarion, Haslett earned second-team honors on the Associated Press “Little All-America” team for small-school athletes. He played defensive back, returned punts and held for field goals and extra point kicks.

His career totals included 329 tackles, 11 interceptions and 30 pass break-ups.

Haslett took over an Allderdice program that went winless a year earlier and led them to a 1-8 finish in 2009. However, the Dragons reached the City League finals in his third season and returned there in years five, six and seven.

Each time they finished as runners-up, but their breakthrough came in 2017. Allderdice defeated Brashear, 35-7, at Cupples Stadium that year to win the title.

It was the team’s first since 1967.

“I was tired of hearing about the 50 years, but it didn’t wear on me,” Haslett told TribLive in 2017. “I was three years old in 1967, so I don’t remember anything about that. But with the community and the news media bringing it all up, as a school and a program, yeah, we were tired of hearing about it.”

The Allderdice community mourns the passing of Coach Jerry Haslett. His daily presence will be greatly missed in the classroom and athletic department. His positive impact on students is immeasurable. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers. pic.twitter.com/NPCr8fdIRw

— Allderdice Sports (@DiceSports) July 25, 2024

Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.

Tags: Allderdice