From slinging it in the SEC to backing up a future Hall of Famer in the NFL, this QB has been everywhere. He’s played under the bright lights, bounced around different leagues, and learned from some of the best minds in football. Now, he’s flipping the script and stepping into a new role. One where he gets to shape the next generation of athletes. Ben Roethlisberger‘s former Steelers backup, Zach Mettenberger, is officially the new head coach at Father Ryan High School.
The timing couldn’t be more perfect, as the school is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Mettenberger, who’s been with Father Ryan since 2024 as offensive coordinator and QB coach, now takes over the whole program. With experience coaching at Alabama under Nick Saban and years of playing at the highest level. He’s got the resume to lead the Irish into the future.
Father Ryan High School is pleased to announce Zach Mettenberger as the new Football Head Coach, effective immediately.
Read More: https://t.co/qxyJq4DxXR pic.twitter.com/2GeZQZHEax
— Father Ryan High School (@fatherryan) February 18, 2025
Athletic Director Ann Mullins is all in on Mettenberger’s leadership. “I am confident that Coach Mettenberger will build upon the strong foundation established by the coaches before him, leading our student-athletes to new heights both on and off the field,” she said. “His passion for the game, commitment to developing young athletes, and leadership qualities make him the right person to guide our football program into the future.” The school ran a national search, narrowing down over 95 candidates to four finalists before choosing Mettenberger.
For his part, Zach Mettenberger is hyped to take the reins. “I am honored by the opportunity to serve as a leader of Father Ryan’s historic football program and foster the legacy of excellence created by those who came before me in this role,” he said. His coaching career kicked off in 2020 at Hillsboro High before he joined Father Ryan in 2021. After a couple of years at Alabama, he came back in 2024, bringing even more experience to the table. Now, he’s got a chance to take the Irish to the next level.
With Father Ryan hitting its centennial season, the pressure’s on. But Mettenberger has been in big moments before. Whether he was leading LSU, learning behind Ben Roethlisberger, or working alongside Nick Saban, he’s always been around greatness. Now, it’s his turn to build something special.
From Friday night lights to HC: The Zach Mettenberger story
Zach Mettenberger’s football journey started in Athens, Georgia, where he was slinging passes at Oconee County High School. Even back then, he had that QB1 energy, racking up over 2,000 passing yards and proving he had an arm built for the big leagues. Ranked as one of the top pro-style quarterbacks in his class, he took his talents to the University of Georgia. However, that chapter didn’t last long. After a quick detour at Butler Community College, where he absolutely torched defenses. LSU came calling, and that’s where things really took off.
At LSU, Mettenberger made history, becoming the first Tigers QB to throw for over 2,500 yards in back-to-back seasons. He was a two-time team captain, leading the squad with confidence and a cannon of an arm. The Tennessee Titans took a chance on him in the 2014 NFL Draft, picking him in the sixth round. He started 10 games over two seasons, even landing a backup gig with the Pittsburgh Steelers. But after bouncing around a few NFL rosters and alternative leagues, he decided to switch things up—trading the playbook for a clipboard.
Coaching turned out to be his next big move. He got his start at Hillsboro High in 2020, then joined Father Ryan in 2021 before leveling up to Alabama in 2022 as an offensive analyst under Nick Saban. But in 2024, he made his way back to Father Ryan, and now? He’s running the show. As the school’s new head coach, Mettenberger is bringing years of experience and a whole lot of football wisdom to the next generation. Safe to say, the Irish are in good hands.
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