Rause resigns as Derry’s boys coach

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Monday, March 5, 2018 | 4:42 PM

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Damon Rause means business — in so many facets of life.

And while his heart is in everything he does, his growing list of priorities have diverted his attention away from coaching basketball at Derry.

A delicate, yet hectic balance became too much for Rause and caused him to resign as the Trojans' boys coach after eight seasons.

Family is first for Rause, a Derry graduate and former three-sport athlete.

“I loved it more than anything but just had too many things going on,” Rause said. “I need to focus on taking over my family's packaging business in Blairsville. I also have a 5-year-old, and we adopted a 1-year-old baby, and with my wife just getting a full-time job at Derry, things are just too crazy to keep coaching if I can't put my full focus into it.”

Rause made it abundantly clear his departure has nothing to do with the state of the program or its players.

Derry flirted with the WPIAL playoffs this season, finishing 8-12 overall and 4-8 in Section 1-4A — fifth place and three games out of fourth place and a potential playoff spot.

The program has not had a winning season since 2000-01 and had not been to the playoffs since 2007-08.

Rause was 47-119. He thinks the new coach will have plenty to work with, and a better-looking section in which to do it.

“Trust me, it's not because the program is struggling,” Rause said. “We have four returning starters plus we have only a six-team section now, so our chances of making the playoffs are better.”

WPIAL realignment will have Section 1 looking like this next season: Derry, Freeport, Highlands, Knoch, Mt. Pleasant, and Yough. So, four of six teams will get a postseason spot.

“Our eighth- and ninth-graders are also excellent so I'd love to do it but just cant make it happen anymore,” Rause said.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.