After a nationwide search, Brett Gordon, a 1998 graduate of La Salle College High School, has been named head coach of the school’s football program.
He will succeed John Steinmetz who stepped down in November after 45 years of service, nine as head coach.
Gordon was as an assistant coach at the school for 14 years (2005-2014, 2016-2019) and served under two of the former head coaches, including his father, Drew, who retired in 2015 after nine years at the helm of the Explorers.
As offensive coordinator, he helped lead the Explorers to eight appearances in in the Philadelphia Catholic League Championship game, winning six (2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012). Those teams won four consecutive District 12 (City) Championships (2009-2012) and reached the Pennsylvania State Championship game twice, winning the title in 2009.
Gordon was a three-sport athlete at La Salle College High School. A standout quarterback, he led the Explorers to back-to-back Philadelphia Catholic League Championships in 1995 and 1996 as well as a 32-game unbeaten streak that stretched across three seasons. He is a two-time MVP of the Philadelphia Catholic League and was twice named as the City Football Player of the Year. He continues to hold numerous school and city records, and, during his three years as a starter, he passed for 6,837 yards, breaking the Pennsylvania State Record for Career Passing Yards. He was the recipient of the coveted Maxwell Award in 1997 and named as Quarterback of the Decade for the 1990s.
Gordon went on to play at Villanova University where he set several single-game, single-season, and career records. Gordon earned first team All-Atlantic 10 honors and was the league’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2002, as well as being named to the Atlantic 10 All-Academic Team. He was runner-up to Tony Romo in 2002 for the prestigious Walter Payton Award given annually to the nation’s top player in NCAA Division 1-AA.
A member the La Salle College High School Hall of Athletics and the Villanova Sports Hall of Fame, he holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Villanova University and is Vice President of Sales for a software company. Brett and his wife, Tanya, reside in North Wales, PA with their children Luke and Grace.
“I am honored to lead the next chapter of La Salle football. With its rich academic and football traditions, La Salle has always been home for my family. I am excited to get to work with our players and staff to deliver a program that our players, our alumni, and the entire La Salle community can be proud of,” he said.
A committee comprised of administrators, coaches, parents, and former players from La Salle College High School reviewed the applications, interviewed candidates for the position, and made recommendations to the school administration.
“Brett emerged from a large pool of very qualified candidates. His experience and knowledge of our mission and philosophy made me believe that he was the best person to guide the program in the coming years,” said Robert Zanneo, Athletic Administrator of La Salle College High School.
Gordon added, “I would like to thank Brother James Butler, Principal Jim Fyke, Bob Zanneo, and the La Salle administration for their support. Our work begins immediately with our players to restore the rich, winning tradition that is La Salle Football.”
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Photo: La Salle