Gary Rhodenbaugh named head coach at Pottstown

POTTSTOWN >> Former head coach Don Grinstead’s parting words were in hope that a coach on his staff would take his position.

His wish was granted. 

Trojans offensive coordinator and former Spring-Ford head coach Gary Rhodenbaugh was voted in as the new head coach at last night’s school board meeting, taking over a Pottstown program that competed in its first District 1-AAA playoff game since the 2002 season. The hiring was confirmed by Pat Conners, Pottstown’s Director of Co-Curricular Activities Friday morning.

Rhodenbaugh, a graduate of Spring-Ford and special education teacher at the high school, compiled a record of 21-42 in the PAC-10 and 27-56 overall in his seven seasons at the helm from 2003-2009. Since his head coaching stint, Rhodenbaugh had been an assistant on the staffs at Phoenixville (2010-2012), Spring-Ford (2013-2014) before taking over as the offensive coordinator at Pottstown in 2015. The Trojans responded by finishing second in the conference in rushing yards (219.8) while earning their first district berth in 13 seasons.

He was an integral part of Spring-Ford’s first unbeaten team in 1992. He was an all-league offensive lineman and linebacker for the Rams who ran the table in the PAC-10 and finished 11-0 overall.

He went on to play at Ursinus College, where he was named All-Centennial Conference First Team Linebacker and All-ECAC First Team Linebacker in 1996 and earned All-Centennial Academic honors from 1994-1996 before graduating in 1997.

His coaching career began as a linebackers coach at Delaware Valley College. But after one season over in Doylestown, Rhodenbaugh returned to Spring-Ford, where he was an assistant on Marty Moore’s staff for five years before taking over the program following the 2002 season.