The Forest Hills School District announced former Rangers player and assistant coach Tom Blanchetti as the program’s new head football coach.
“Coach Blanchetti is well-known throughout the Forest Hills community as a former student-athlete, current assistant coach and dedicated member of the Ranger family,” read a statement from Forest Hills Superintendent Dr. David Lehman’s office. “His longstanding connection to the district, knowledge of the program and commitment to student-athletes make him well-prepared to step into this leadership role.”
Blanchetti, 42, will replace veteran coach Justin Myers, another former Rangers standout as a player. The school district opened the position in mid-March, sparking debate and discussions on social media and throughout the area.
Blanchetti played at Forest Hills from 1999 through the 2001 season and graduated in 2002. He earned his degree at Indiana (Pa.) before embarking on a 16-year stretch as a high school football assistant coach.
“I’m extremely humbled and honored to be in this position because I know the type of people who have been in this position before and the impact they have made on my life in a positive manner,” Blanchetti said during a Friday phone interview.
“I know it’s going to be a difficult task, but it’s something that I’m prepared to take on. I love football. Even more than I love football, I love the impact I have and the relationships I get to build with my players.”
Blanchetti got his start as an assistant coach during eight seasons at Tussey Mountain High School in Bedford County. His first year was under coach Kevin Steele, who then went to Bedford Area and was followed by Josh Smith at Tussey Mountain.
Blanchetti was part of the Titans’ 2013 District 5 crown.
Closer to the area, Blanchetti joined former Windber coach Matt Grohal for seven seasons, helping the Ramblers win District 5-1A championships in 2022 and 2024.
“Tom is a better person off the field than he is on the field, and that’s what makes him so good,” Grohal said. “The care and love he shows to his players is unmatched. I was fortunate to have him with me on the staff at Windber for seven years.”
This past season, Blanchetti returned to his alma mater and coached on Myers’ staff.
“Coaching at Forest Hills was one of my more enjoyable coaching experiences because of the type of kids on the team,” Blanchetti said.
“Throughout his time at Forest Hills, Coach Blanchetti has built strong relationships with students, families and colleagues. He has demonstrated a deep appreciation for the tradition, pride and sense of community that have long been hallmarks of Ranger football,” the district release stated.
This past fall, Forest Hills opened 4-0 and won six of its first seven games before an injury-riddled squad lost four consecutive games against some of the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference’s top teams – Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic, Bishop McCort Catholic, Bellwood-Antis and Penn Cambria – to finish 6-5.
“Even though we did go through some adversity with injuries and our opponents, I was impressed with the high level of character of our kids on the team,” Blanchetti said. “I’m looking forward to taking the reins and building on what I learned last year.”
Blanchetti will rely on his experiences of playing for iconic hall-of-fame coach Don Bailey, as well as his time as an assistant coach to some of the region’s most successful mentors.
“I was very lucky, No. 1 playing for Don Bailey, and then coaching with Kevin Steele, Josh Smith, Matt Grohal, Frank Tallyen and Justin Myers,” Blanchetti said. “I just learned so much about the game and how to run a program. I learned how to build a culture of success from those guys.
“They all did it in different ways, but they’re all good at it. I was lucky to coach with those guys and take bits and pieces and try to make it my own.”
Mike Mastovich is a sports reporter and columnist for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at 814-532-5083. Follow him on Twitter @Masty81.