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River Valley School District Names Ed Dalton as Head Football Coach

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Coach Ed Dalton
River Valley School District Names Ed Dalton as Head Football Coach

River Valley School District is excited to announce the hiring of Ed Dalton as the new Head Football Coach. With over 225 career wins, Dalton is a seasoned leader known for transforming solid programs into elite contenders and turning struggling teams into competitive forces.

 

His unmatched experience and success make him an ideal fit for the Panthers, and he has been signed to a three-year contract.

“Coach Dalton’s track record speaks for itself–he transforms programs and inspires students to reach their full potential, both on and off the field. His commitment to building a culture of discipline, teamwork, and excellence aligns perfectly with our vision for River Valley,” said Philip Martell, Superintendent of Schools. 

Coach Dalton's career highlights include:

  • One of only two coaches in Pennsylvania history to lead five different schools to the state playoffs.

  • Led Purchase Line to 18 consecutive wins, two conference titles, a District 6 Championship, and a state semifinal appearance in just two years after inheriting a program that had lost 28 of its previous 29 games.

  • Revived Mount Pleasant, Altoona, Trinity, and McGuffey programs — each reaching historic milestones under his leadership.

  • In his first season at Mount Pleasant, he led the Vikings back to the WPIAL Playoffs for the first time in five years. The second season saw the team go 12-1, win the Conference, and advance to the WPIAL Semifinals.

  • At Altoona, his team played for four consecutive District Championships, won the District/Regional Championship in 1996 and 1997, and completed the school's first undefeated regular season in 30 years in 1997, including a win over nationally ranked Cincinnati Moeller.

  • At Trinity, he turned around a program that had four wins in 40 games, reaching the WPIAL playoffs for seven straight years and sending more than 100 players to play college football.

  • Most recently, at McGuffey, Dalton took a team with a 16-game losing streak to the playoffs nine times, competing for five consecutive section titles and winning two.

  • A member of the Tri-County Football Coaches Hall of Fame, Coach Dalton’s passion for developing athletes and building winning cultures makes him a perfect fit for River Valley’s vision for excellence.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Coach Dalton to the River Valley family. Our athletes will benefit from his experience, leadership, and commitment to helping students thrive,” said Connie Constantino, Vice President of the River Valley School Board of Directors and Chair of the Activities and Athletics Committee. “He brings a deep belief in the value of high school athletics as a tool for personal growth, one that will have a lasting impact on our students in the classroom, in competition, and beyond.”