During the week, Marty Rieck teaches history to students at South Park High School. Come Friday nights in the fall, he will attempt to make Eagles' championship history repeat itself.

Rieck was unanimously approved by the school board April 9 to become the next head football coach for the Eagles. He takes over for Tom Loughran, who stepped down in February. Among Loughran's 186 career victories spanning 32 seasons are two WPIAL and two PIAA titles — both of which Rieck had a hand in.

As a player, Rieck was the strong safety on the Eagles' 1997 WPIAL and PIAA championship team. He was an assistant when South Park repeated the title sweep in 2005.

“Obviously, we want to build on that foundation,” said Rieck, who played collegiately at Mercyhurst. “I will always consider (Loughran) a friend and a mentor.”

Working in Rieck's favor is the fact he was once in the same position as his players. He proved then what hard work can result in.

“You can't lead people unless you've done it,” Rieck said.

The 9-0 vote in Rieck's favor assured him the school board believed he could do the job.

“That sends a message that they have faith in what we're trying to do,” Rieck said.

Loughran shares the enthusiasm of the school board. In fact, he wrote a letter of recommendation to the board in Rieck's favor.

“I'm excited about the hire, and I liked that they picked someone from the staff,” said Loughran, who took over as head coach at Fox Chapel. “It gives him a jump on anyone else that could've gotten the job.”

Rieck will do well in the long run, too, Loughran said.

“I think he'll do well creating his own path,” Loughran said. “I tell him, ‘Listen, you have to be your own man. The things you learned will carry over, but don't fashion everything after what I did or we did.' ”

Loughran added he thinks Rieck will forge a top-notch defensive squad because of his background playing and coaching that side of the ball.

Brian Abbey will be the Eagles' offensive coordinator. The rest of the assistant slots are still up in the air.

Rieck is married to his wife, Felicia, and has two sons. Colin was born in 2012 and Aiden in 2013. Marty took a short leave from coaching when his sons were born, but he said he has the full support of his family to take the reins of the football team.

When landing the “unbelievable opportunity,” Rieck got to work. He gathered his players under the lights of the stadium Friday night so they could envision the upcoming season and get a good look at the place where their dreams could become a reality.

Rieck said there are plenty of quality athletes on the team, and he has the utmost faith in them.

“Anything can be theirs if they are willing to work for it,” he said.

Ed Phillipps is a freelance writer.

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