Record-setting QB returning to La Salle High as head coach
Brett Gordon has come full circle at his alma mater, La Salle High.
The former record-setting quarterback for the Explorers, who went on to a stellar career at Villanova University, was recently named head football coach at the school.
"Brett has the passion, playing and coaching background, and an innovative vision to help lead our program and student-athletes into the future," La Salle High athletic director Bob Zanneo said in a release put out by the school.
"The La Salle community and athletic department are excited about the future of the La Salle football program with the hiring of Brett Gordon."
Gordon, a 1998 La Salle High grad, led the Explorers to a pair of Philadelphia Catholic League titles and a 32-game winning streak during his three seasons as a starter. In his junior year, he led La Salle High to a 14-0 record and second straight PCL crown.
His 84 career touchdown passes were a state record (since broken) and he threw for nearly 7,000 yards in his career.
At Villanova, Gordon was named the Atlantic 10 Conference Offensive Player of the Year as a senior while also finishing second in school history in total offense with 9,317 yards. He led the Wildcats to an 11-4 mark that season and a No. 4 national ranking as they reached the NCAA Division I-AA semifinals before losing to McNeese State, 29-28.
Additionally, he was the runner-up to former Dallas Cowboy Tony Romo, who played at Eastern Illinois University, as a senior in 2002 for the prestigious Walter Payton Award given annually to the nation’s top player in NCAA Division I-AA.
Steinmetz steps down at La Salle High: La Salle College grad John Steinmetz retiring after 45 years coaching football at school
Gordon, who was La Salle's offensive coordinator for 14 seasons (2005-2014, 2016-2019), takes over a La Salle High team that went 6-5 last season and last won a PCL championship in 2021.
He replaces John Steinmetz, a 1977 La Salle graduate who compiled an overall record of 59-36 during his nine years as head coach of the Explorers after 36 years as an assistant coach at the school.
In addition to working with Steinmetz, Gordon also coached under his father, Drew, at La Salle High.
Drew Gordon, who was also a standout quarterback at the now-closed Bishop McDevitt and Villanova, died last fall at the age of 73.
Drew Gordon coached the Explorers from 2006-2014, including guiding the 2009 team to a 14-1 record and the PIAA Class 4A title with a 24-7 victory over State College. That made La Salle the first PCL school to capture a PIAA football championship.
Drew Gordon passes away: Drew Gordon, who guided La Salle High to its first PIAA state football title, dies
Drew Markol: dmarkol@theintell.com; @dmarkol
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Brett Gordon named head football coach at La Salle High
