Father of McDowell football coaching candidate Aaron Slocum familiar to Erie sports fans
Ron Rudler. Don Holl. Mike Mischler. Mark Soboleski. Brad Orlando.
Aaron Slocum considered each of those former varsity football coaches as influential throughout his two decades as an assistant.
None, though, rose to the level of the man the 1998 McDowell graduate pointed to Friday morning at Paul Goll Gymnasium.
That man was his father.
Aaron Slocum enrolled at McDowell when Jerry Slocum was hired to coach the the men’s basketball program at Gannon University in 1996. He led the Golden Knights to six NCAA Division II tournament appearances over nine seasons before coaching Division I Youngstown (Ohio) State for another 12.
Jerry Slocum retired after the Penguins’ 2016-17 season.
“I’ve was at most of his games for most of my 42 years,” Aaron Slocum said. “He loved his staff and his players. He treated people the right way and is definitely the guy I’ve tried to aspire to be.”
Aaron Slocum is about to find out. The Millcreek School District special education teacher spoke shortly after he was formally introduced as the candidate to be the Trojans’ next football coach.
Aaron Slocum would succeed Brad Orlando if the Millcreek School District votes for his hire during its Feb. 12 board meeting. Orlando, who resigned Jan. 11, had Slocum as an assistant for his entire 10-season coaching tenure.
The board’s vote during the meeting is expected to be a formality, given Slocum’s background.
Slocum starred in his senior season for McDowell, which at the time was coached by Rudler. He exceeded 1,000 rushing and passing yards for the 1997 Trojans.
After playing for Geneva College and graduating from Gannon University, Slocum began his coaching career at Cathedral Prep.
He assisted both Holl and Mischler before he returned to his high school alma mater in 2012.
Orlando followed as McDowell’s head coach two years later. Slocum’s 10 seasons at Orlando’s side, combined with his current job in the district, left him as a frontrunner to be the heir of McDowell’s football program.
“I’ve always been part of a coaching family,” Slocum said, “so coaching here and teaching here has been a dream come true. It’s what I’ve always wanted to be.”
More familiar faces
Dozens of projected players for McDowell’s 2024 varsity football team attended Friday’s announcement.
Among them was Blayze Myers, the starting quarterback for the 2023 Trojans. The junior wore a brace on his left knee, which he injured during their loss at North Allegheny in a PIAA Class 6A playoff game.
Myers’ knee required surgery. However, he said he’s ahead of schedule as far as the recovery process and expects to be back behind center for Slocum’s first season in charge of the Trojans.
“I already know he’s a great person, a great leader and a great coach,” Myers said. “We’re just really excited to have somebody (hired) that everybody knows and likes.”
Myers was excited at the prospect of playing for Slocum. He anticipates McDowell’s offense will have a more up-tempo attack than it has in recent seasons.
Tight end DayMar Dickerson and wide receiver James Zigler, who like Myers were all-Region 6 first-team selections this past season, also are expected back with McDowell this fall.
While Orlando won’t be there, the brunt of the Trojans’ coaching staff will be. Slocum plans to hire back as many of the men he’s recently worked with as possible.
“There are a lot of coaching responsibilities that I’m still trying to get around,” he said, “but it’s been a pretty seamless transition so far.”
Contact Mike Copper at mcopper@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNcopper.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: McDowell introduces Aaron Slocum as candidate for next football coach
