Since
Chuck Noll transformed the Pittsburgh Steelers from loveable losers
to one of the NFL’s most successful franchises, only two Beaver
County natives served as assistant coaches. Matt Raich began his
gridiron career at Monaca High School (1986-1989), where he lettered
in football, basketball, and baseball, and earned All Conference or
All Section honors in each sport. In football, Matt was named first
team All Conference as a running back and linebacker, Conference
MVP, first team Small School All State, and won the Beaver County
Times Traveling Trophy (presented to the player in the paper’s
circulation area with the most points in a season). Over the summer
of 1989, he earned MVP honors in the Penn-Ohio State Line Classic,
then went on to Westminster College, where he became one of that
school’s most decorated players, and was inducted into its Sports
Hall of Fame. He lettered four years as a middle linebacker
(including three seasons as a starter) and finished his collegiate
career as the leading tackler in school history (396 solo, 243
assists), earning three NAIA All American awards and Kodak Small
College All American as a senior. His Westminster teams won 42 of 48
games, including the NAIA National Championship in 1989. Matt then
served as an assistant coach at Westminster, Glenville State (WV),
and Robert Morris University, and later joined the Steelers in 2002
via a two year internship in the scouting department. Matt’s
brother, Mike,
was a notable member of the Cornell University football team.
Since
Chuck Noll transformed the Pittsburgh Steelers from loveable losers
to one of the NFL’s most successful franchises, only two Beaver
County natives served as assistant coaches. Matt Raich began his
gridiron career at Monaca High School (1986-1989), where he lettered
in football, basketball, and baseball, and earned All Conference or
All Section honors in each sport. In football, Matt was named first
team All Conference as a running back and linebacker, Conference
MVP, first team Small School All State, and won the Beaver County
Times Traveling Trophy (presented to the player in the paper’s
circulation area with the most points in a season). Over the summer
of 1989, he earned MVP honors in the Penn-Ohio State Line Classic,
then went on to Westminster College, where he became one of that
school’s most decorated players, and was inducted into its Sports
Hall of Fame. He lettered four years as a middle linebacker
(including three seasons as a starter) and finished his collegiate
career as the leading tackler in school history (396 solo, 243
assists), earning three NAIA All American awards and Kodak Small
College All American as a senior. His Westminster teams won 42 of 48
games, including the NAIA National Championship in 1989. Matt then
served as an assistant coach at Westminster, Glenville State (WV),
and Robert Morris University, and later joined the Steelers in 2002
via a two year internship in the scouting department. Matt’s
brother,