SLIPPERY ROCK — It's been an eventful week for Travis Sarver.

Six days ago, he and his wife, Abby, welcomed their daughter, Riley, to the world.

Monday night, Sarver received more big news after the Slippery Rock High school board approved him as the new head football coach.

Sarver, a 2004 Slippery Rock High graduate, takes over for Brendan Hathaway, who spent five years with the Rockets and left in January to take over the Moon football program.

Sarver served on Hathaway's staff as the defensive coordinator for the better part of five years.

Sarver took a season off while he was building his own home.

He was also on Hathaway's staff in Coudersport.

“I'm proud of where I come from,” Sarver said.

Some of his players said they are proud to be playing for him next season.

Junior wingback Ryan Lauster said he and his teammates were excited when they heard the news that Sarver was taking over as coach.

“Especially since he's been around the program for years and he knows what Rock football is all about,” Lauster said. “As a player, it's nice because we are familiar with him and know how he conducts things.”

Junior lineman Cody Lawniczak agreed.

“I believe he will provide new energy and swagger to the team this coming year,” he said.

Sarver was a star fullback and safety for the Rockets during his playing days, piling up more than 3,000 yards rushing and scored 33 touchdown while helping Slippery Rock to two District 10 Class AA titles.

Sarver scored 116 points and shared the 2003 Butler Eagle Scoring Trophy with Karns City's Josh Fiscus.

He was inducted into the Slippery Rock High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012.

Sarver also played at Slippery Rock University on special teams, on defense as a safety and as a running back in 2006 after being thrust into that role due to a rash of injuries.

One of the key things Sarver brings to the Rockets as the head football coach is continuity.

“I think it's great for the kids to have someone they know and who knows them,” said Slippery Rock High athletic director John Osborne. “It will be a smooth transition.”

Sarver said he plans on keeping the same option offense that Hathaway brought to the school.

Slippery Rock has posted a 37-8 record the last four years after an 0-10 campaign in Hathaway's first as the coach.

The Rockets are coming off back-to-back 10-0 regular season records.

While running the deceptive option offense in the last three seasons, Slippery Rock has racked up more than 13,000 rushing yards.

“We're been very successful with the option offense,” Sarver said.

Sarver, who is a physical education teacher at Slippery Rock, said he plans on keeping the coaching staff intact.

“We have a good bunch of guys,” Sarver said. “That's one thing that is very important. They're Slippery Rock guys and they are invested in it. It's a great group to be around.”

Sarver's goals are simple: Keep the program among the best in District 10.

“We're going to try to keep building on what we've done,” Sarver said.

“Being a head coach is something I always thought about and when the opportunity came up, my wife and I sat down and talked about it,” Sarver said. “We decided the opportunity to coach where I came from might not come up again. It's going to be challenging, but I'm excited.”