Eight seasons at Shaler Area High School helped Jacque DeMatteo jumpstart his head coaching career, and provided him countless memories and friends. He knew it would take an opportunity of great benefit to his own family to get him to leave a program that had served as a second family most of the past decade.

At Hampton, DeMatteo found that opportunity.

DeMatteo accepted an offer to become Hampton's football coach last week, a decision which was expected to become official at a school board meeting last night. DeMatteo compiled a 36-45 record in his tenure at Shaler, and led the Titans to the WPIAL playoffs in each of the past five seasons. He replaces Greg Mihalik, who left after 10 seasons to become an assistant at Carnegie Mellon University.

"Shaler gave me an opportunity years ago and I'm forever grateful," DeMatteo said. "You spend a lot of time doing things and you make relationships. It's tough to leave, but you have to do what's best for your family."

For DeMatteo, the decision made perfect sense. He lives in the Hampton School District, his children go to school there and the family participates in many functions throughout the community. So, when word spread about six weeks ago that Mihalik would be leaving, DeMatteo notified Hampton athletic director Bill Cardone that he was interested in the job.

Shortly thereafter, DeMatteo was called in for an interview. And then, last week, he was told he was selected to fill the opening.

"I was highly impressed with how everything was put together there," DeMatteo said. "They made us feel real comfortable right off the bat."

DeMatteo's departure from Shaler is made even more interesting because of the coaching move the district made in mid-April, when it hired former Penn Hills coach Neil Gordon as its offensive coordinator.

DeMatteo had reached out to Gordon after the Penn Hills School Board voted in February not to rehire Gordon despite 21 highly successful seasons. Neither DeMatteo nor Shaler athletic director Paul Holzshu said they had any inclination at the time that the Titans' head coaching position would come open. But with the recent development, Gordon would have to be considered the likely successor.

"[Gordon] informed me it's his intentions to stay on staff, regardless of what capacity. Whether it's as an assistant or as an interim coach, I know he wants to be a part of the Shaler school district," Holzshu said.

Holzshu said he was caught a little off guard by DeMatteo's decision, but stressed that DeMatteo's departure from Shaler was an amicable one, and that he wishes DeMatteo nothing but the best at his new job.

"In the five years I've been the AD, I've always felt that Jacque was a good, young coach," Holzshu said. "He works hard and has the kids interests at heart. Opportunities come, and when they come you have to look at them."

DeMatteo is ready to stare down his new opportunity, as he switches gears from Class AAAA to Class AAA. Hampton was 2-7 last season, but had advanced to the postseason in six of the nine previous seasons.

DeMatteo anticipated meeting many of his new players earlier this week, and said that he and his coaching staff -- most of whom followed him from Shaler -- are ready to get the ball rolling.

Said DeMatteo, "I'm not familiar with the kids, but as time goes on, we'll be able to assess their talent more. We're just eager to get started. It's still early, but I'm excited."