Shady Side Academy football coach Chuck DiNardo resigns

By: Chris Harlan
Thursday, September 19, 2024 | 8:13 PM

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Chuck DiNardo has resigned as football coach at Shady Side Academy, stepping down four games into his eighth season with the Bulldogs.

A school spokesperson confirmed DiNardo’s departure, saying the coach resigned Monday.

“This was a personal decision for Coach DiNardo, and we respect his choice,” said Diana Toole, the school’s chief marketing officer.

Messages left for DiNardo and athletic director Sean Simmons were not returned.

Shady Side Academy went 41-33 under DiNardo and qualified for the playoffs six times in his first seven seasons, including a trip to the WPIAL semifinals in 2022. The team started this season 1-3. The Bulldogs lost 40-28 last week in an Allegheny Conference opener at Ligonier Valley.

Toole said assistant coach Dave Szlachetka will serve as acting head coach. The team hosts Apollo-Ridge at 2 p.m. Saturday.

“Coach Szlachetka is a highly respected and experienced member of the coaching team and SSA community, and is working diligently to ensure the program’s continuity and success,” Toole said. “The team looks forward to playing during homecoming this weekend.”

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: Shady Side Academy