Twenty years after Neil Gordon was hired as Penn Hills' football coach and athletic director, he's decided to limit his role in the school district.
Gordon says he will retire as the athletic director, but he' will continue to serve as the football coach.
"If I was giving up football and the AD position, that would be something I don't know if I could handle -- walking away from everything," Gordon said. "Football keeps me busy, keeps my nose into things and keeps me in the community.
"I still have a great love for the game. I've been involved one way or another since I was 7 years old. I still have that love of the game, so as long as that's still there, I'll be coaching."
Gordon said he retired because this is the last year he could accept an early-out retirement incentive package offered by the Penn Hills School District.
"It was nothing more than a financial decision on my part, and they gave me the opportunity to stay on as football coach, so I'm not totally out of what I love to do," Gordon said.
Gordon, 58, has worked at Penn Hills for 33 years as social studies teacher, athletic director and wrestling, football and baseball coach. As the head baseball coach in 1978, Gordon won WPIAL and PIAA titles.
Gordon is well-known for his success in football. His teams have made 17 playoff appearances and have won one WPIAL and PIAA title in 20 seasons. He's also sent many players to Division I colleges, including several who have played in the NFL.
