Seton LaSalle hires Mike Zmijanac as football coach
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Tuesday, December 18, 2018 | 11:00 AM
Mike Zmijanac is starting over again.
The former Aliquippa football coach with six WPIAL titles is headed to Seton LaSalle after one winless season at Ringgold. Seton LaSalle announced Zmijanac’s hire Tuesday.
“I am enthused to join a school with such a rich history in athletics and academic excellence,” said Zmijanac, a Mt. Lebanon resident. “Looking forward to building a successful program in my own community at Seton LaSalle.”
He replaces Rob Carter as coach of the Rebels.
“We were fortunate to interview some great candidates for the head coach position,” interview committee member Tom Donahoe said in the school’s announcement. “Coach Mike Zmijanac was most impressive with his resume of winning football, creating leaders and good citizens, and bringing great energy and commitment to the job. Our students, fans and supporters should be excited about where our program is going.”
Donahoe, a former Seton LaSalle coach and Steelers executive, is senior director of player personnel for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Zmijanac went 237-36 with six WPIAL titles and one state championship in 21 seasons at Aliquippa. He led the Quips to the WPIAL finals 10 seasons in a row before the school board decided to replace him last winter.
He oversaw an 0-10 season at Ringgold this fall. The Rams were outscored 511-26, and Zmijanac resigned in November.
At Seton LaSalle, Zmijanac takes over a program that went 5-6 overall last season, 4-3 in the Three Rivers Conference and reached the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs.
“We are thrilled to have Mike on board at Seton LaSalle,” principal Lauren Martin said. “His years of experience and tradition of success will provide our student-athletes with wonderful opportunities for growth as they look to further their academic and football careers at the collegiate level.”
Chris Harlan is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Chris at charlan@tribweb.com or via Twitter @CHarlan_Trib.
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