Seton-La Salle suffered substantial losses from its 2015 WPIAL playoff team.
There were 12 seniors on last year's squad, including first-team all-conference selections Liam Sweeney and Michael Martuccio.
Pitt recruit Paris Ford, another first-team all-conference pick who led the Rebels in receiving, transferred to Steel Valley.
And coach Damon Rosol resigned in June after posting a 18-5 record in two years.
Taking over is Rob Carter, 36, a 1998 Seton-La Salle graduate who had been an assistant coach since 2002. He coached every position except quarterbacks, and served as defensive coordinator the past two seasons.
“It is an honor and privilege to be hired as head coach,” Carter said. “The long lineage of coaches that have worked in that office is something of lore in my eyes. (Tom) Donahoe. (Greg) Gattuso. (Lou) Cerro. (Greg) Perry. Guys like Bill Gallagher and Terry Totten have been on the staff, as well. I hope to sustain the luster of Seton-La Salle that they helped lay the foundation for.”
Carter has inherited a tradition-rich football program. Seton-La Salle has advanced to the WPIAL playoffs six consecutive years, and in 11 of the past 12 seasons.
He helped guide the Rebels to WPIAL titles in 2002 and '04.
“My basic coaching philosophies (are) hard work, have pride in anything you do and have fun while doing it,” Carter said. “I am going to try to keep the tradition of a high-powered offense and physical defense that is Rebel football.”
Seton-La Salle will be led offensively by junior running back Lionel Deanes, junior quarterback Matt Banbury and senior wide receiver Nolan Abbiatici.
Deanes ran for 1,291 yards and 16 scores in 2015. Abbiatici started at quarterback, passing for 1,459 yards and 22 scores, but has moved to wideout.
“My expectations are high for this season. The whole team has been excited to get out there on Friday nights,” Abbiatici said. “I want to bring a conference championship back to Seton-La Salle. We haven't won one in a few years.”
The offensive line is a team strength, anchored by juniors Luke Blahut, Nick McNally and Josh Blamer.
Abbiatici, Deanes, Blahut and senior linebackers Christian Weyrich and Brandon Siler are returning starters on defense.
