Davitch, former head coach of the Conemaugh Township Indians and the Johnstown Trojans before that, succeeds Kevin Sheridan who stepped aside from head-coaching responsibilities last year because of concerns over the health of his infant son, Owen.

"I began my coaching career at a Catholic high school, and it's only fitting that I will end my career at a revered Catholic High School," said Davitch, 73, who began his head coaching career in 1969 at Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson, Ariz.

"I'm honored and excited to coach the Crushers. The Bishop McCort football program has been highly respected for generations, and I'm proud to continue that winning tradition. This is certainly going to be a labor of love for me."

"We are extremely happy and fortunate to have Coach Davitch join the McCort family," said Dr. D.A. Gardill, acting principal. "Jerry is a proven, top-quality coach. He's a tremendous leader who has devoted much of his life to coaching and mentoring students."

While renowned for his coaching, Davitch has also been a well-known secondary school administrator. He served as superintendent of Richland School District from 2004 until his retirement in 2008, and as superintendent of the Conemaugh Township School District from 1996 to 2004, where he was also principal at Conemaugh Township High School from 1994 to 1996.

The son of immigrant grandparents, Davitch, a Johnstown native, played for Greater Johnstown High School's undefeated WPIAL championship football team in 1958. Davitch and his wife, Terry, reside in Davidsville. They are the proud parents of Jim (married to Mindy) and Jerry (married to Lisa), and grandparents of Sara, Joey, and Ellie. Jerry and his wife are parishioners of Our Mother of Sorrows.


Jerry Davitch Football Bio:

Playing career:

• Davitch played on the offensive line at Greater Johnstown High School, and was right guard for the Trojans' undefeated WPIAL championship team in 1958.
• After graduating from Johnstown High School in 1959, he accepted a scholarship to play football and wrestle at the University of Arizona (UA) in Tucson.
• Davitch started two years at guard for the Wildcats and was the captain of the wrestling team as a senior. He earned a bachelor's degree in education from UA.

Coaching career:

• 1969:After starting as an assistant coach, Davitch became head coach at Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson. While at Salpointe, he completed his master's degree in secondary education at UA.
• 1973:Moved up to the college ranks as an assistant coach at Air Force Academy for five seasons, from 1973 through 1977.
• 1978:Hired as head coach for the University of Idaho, which had posted just four winning seasons in over four decades. Posted a record of 15-29 through 1981.
• 1982:Became an athletics administrator for the Tucson public school district and a broadcaster for Arizona football and basketball.
• 1985:Returned to Johnstown as head football coach of the Johnstown High School Trojans from 1985 to 1990. Posted a record of 37-23-3 (.611), including an undefeated regular season and a WPIAL Keystone Conference title in 1988.
• Early 1990s:Joined Tony Kamnikar to coach the Our Mother of Sorrows (OMOS) elementary school football team. The team went on to win the championship.
• 1996:Became head football coach of the Conemaugh Township Indians from 1996-2004.
• 2000:Became head football coach for Johnstown's first professional indoor team, the Johnstown Jackals. The late, Pete Duranko (Bishop McCort '62), coached the defensive line for Jerry.
• 2002-2006(summers): Was an assistant coach of the Moscow Patriots in Russia. At the request of former Johnstown star athlete George Azar and the late Harry Gamble, retired general manager of the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles, Davitch joined a group charged with establishing an American-style football team in Moscow to play in the European American Football League. The Patriots won European championships against Germany (in the "juniors" category, to age 18) and Italy (in the "seniors" category, ages 19 and above) in 2003. In addition, Davitch officiated a football game between Russia and the Ukraine in Crimea.