Rizzo returns to Western Pa. to coach North Catholic gridders
CRANBERRY TWP — This past fall, North Catholic got a taste of what football would be like in WPIAL Class 4A — the highest level its taken part in yet.
Head coach Patrick O’Shea hung up his headset after the Trojans went 5-5, missing out on the postseason for the first time since 2011 after falling short in a do-or-die matchup with geographical rival Mars.
Enter Chris Rizzo, who North recently announced as the team’s newest head coach.
“I’m really excited that they were willing to listen to a guy that was 3,000 miles away,” he said. “I’m really excited about the idea that I’m coming home to coach in my hometown.”
He introduced himself to his crew over a Zoom call, laying out his plan.
“We’ve got to maximize what we’ve got,” Rizzo said. “The goal is obviously to win — everybody wants to win — but I think it’s more about creating a winning process, a culture of winning.
“We have a lot of people that we’re going to be able to lean on in a lot of high-profile positions on this roster. But, realistically, we have to establish a foundation that carries us on for two or three years.”
Rizzo played on the gridiron at Bethel Park High School and continued his career at John Carroll University, where he was an all-conference outside linebacker.
“The prospect of being able to play in 4A WPIAL football is honestly the biggest attraction,” Rizzo said, adding that he had a chance to connect with some people familiar with North Catholic in his time at John Carroll. “They’ve had nothing but good things to say about it, so that combination is probably what excited me the most.”
He’s called Arizona home for the last half decade and had served as the head football coach for Glendale’s Ironwood High School each of the previous four seasons. He led his team to a state title game appearance there.
“Teaching and education, it’s a very high priority in Pennsylvania and Ohio and there’s a lot of schools that require a ton of experience to get into,” Rizzo said. “Arizona was a little bit easier of a place to go ahead and go start my career.
“You either fall in love with it and stay there forever or you get what you need to get and end up coming back home.”
He’s coordinated both sides of the ball and was able to familiarize himself more with the attack while getting his master’s degree at JCU. He transitioned to the Grand Canyon State as a defensive assistant, then acted as a defensive coordinator before taking the top job.
“I’m pretty well-balanced, I’d like to describe myself that way,” Rizzo said. “But, at North Catholic, I’m going to be specializing on the offensive side of the ball.”
Having watched the Trojans’ tape on Hudl, he’s gotten familiar with what the team’s personnel consists of.
“Realistically, it’s going to be about what we can get installed this offseason, what we can get installed in the spring and summer,” Rizzo said. “I’m not married to any specific offensive scheme. Schemes don’t win championships, players do.”
The talent is there for the Trojans, another perk that factored into the job’s appeal.
“Between Jack Fennell, they’ve got this Brady O’Hara who’s a big target, the quarterback situation is pretty nice, they’ve got some backs you can play around with,” Rizzo said. “It’s an exciting prospect.”
