Andrew DiDonato

GROVE CITY — Andrew DiDonato is loyal to his alma maters.

Grove City College only hopes he can be as successful in coaching football here as he has been at South Fayette High School.

DiDonato, a 2010 GCC graduate in his second year as offensive coordinator at South Fayette, will return to Grove City in January and join the Wolverines football staff as offensive coordinator. Current GCC head coach Chris Smith will retire after the 2015 season and hand the reins to his former quarterback.

“It’s a unique situation, to be sure,” said Smith, who will be 66 next season, his 32nd at the helm. “But it’s a great circumstance for me to depart, for myself and the college.

“I’ll have a year to mentor Andrew, who already has a year of Division I coaching experience, and I’ll be handing the reins to somebody who understands what Grove City College is all about and deeply cares about this program.”

DiDonato was an assistant coach for a year at the University of Buffalo. He is the former career passing yardage record holder at South Fayette, throwing for 6,573 yards. At the time he graduated in 2006, he was No. 2 on the WPIAL’s all-time passing charts.

A Cranberry Township resident, DiDonato has not lost a game in two years as the Lions’ offensive coordinator. South Fayette is looking for its second consecutive PIAA Class AA title when it plays Dunmore at noon Saturday in Hershey.

“He’s looking to go 32-0 in two years. That’s an incredible record,” Smith said.

DiDonato has coached quarterback Brett Brumbaugh — the PIAA’s all-time career passing yardage leader, headed to Duquesne — the past two seasons.

Smith is 122-176-2 at Grove City. The Wolverines have had two winning seasons — 6-4 records in 2008 and 2012 — in the last 14 years. Smith’s best season was 9-2 in 1997, when the Wolverines won the ECAC Southwest title.

“Andrew will be around 26 and one of the youngest head coaches in college football in 2016,” Smith said. “But it’s not about your age, it’s whether you’re ready to step in and do a job. And he’s ready.”

DiDonato will teach Exercise Science and Physical Education courses at Grove City when he returns to campus next month.

Unavailable for interview, DiDonato said in a prepared statement: “Grove City College is a special place for my family and me, so it’s my honor to be selected to continue to grow a solid program. I thank President (Paul J.) McNulty and Coach Smith for entrusting me with this opportunity.”

DiDonato’s older brother, Dave, was a two-year starting quarterback at Grove City. Andrew was a four-year starter and holds numerous GCC records.

Among his marks are career passing yards with 7,509, 49 touchdown passes and 750 completions. He holds single-season records of 2,466, 18 and 240 in those categories.

DiDonato is also the Wolverines’ career total offense leader with 8,904 yards.

“He was a great player and he knows the game,” Smith said of DiDonato. “He’s always had a great work ethic.

“Andrew’s personality and character will serve him well in this position.”

Smith is a 1972 GCC graduate and was the team’s starting safety for four years. He still owns the school record of 22 career interceptions.

Smith returned to the Wolverines in 1979 and served as assistant football and track coach before being named head football coach in 1984.