ERIE, Pa. -- Mercyhurst University head football coach Marty Schaetzle announced that he will retire after the 2021 season.
"I am very thankful for the opportunity, and grateful to the Presidents, administrations, faculty and student services for their support," said Schaetzle. "I was so lucky after graduating from Bucknell I didn't find a job. I found a vocation and it lasted 38 years and counting."
Schaetzle enters his 20th season at the helm of the Laker football program. He is the winningest coach in Mercyhurst history with 93 victories over 18 seasons.
"We are very grateful for all that Marty has given to Mercyhurst University and, especially, to our football program," said Director of Athletics Brad Davis. "He has elevated our program to new heights on and off the field, and he has served as a championship-caliber mentor and role model for hundreds of Lakers who learned about football and life from him. We look forward to opportunities in the coming year to show our appreciation for Marty and to celebrate his legacy at Mercyhurst."
Schaetzle is the longest tenured coach in Mercyhurst football history and has been the only coach since Mercyhurst joined the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. As a member of the PSAC the Lakers are 72-62 and 44-44 in conference play.
In 2010, Schaetzle led the Lakers to a 10-3 overall record and their first PSAC Title. The Lakers defeated Bloomsburg 56-37 in the PSAC title game before securing the program's first NCAA postseason win over the same Huskies 28-14.
"Marty has been a valuable part of the Mercyhurst University family and a great partner for 20 years," said Vice President for Student Life Dr. Laura Zirkle. "I am thankful for his leadership and dedication for the last two decades. I've watched the Schaetzle family embrace what it means to be a Laker for years, and we will miss seeing them on campus."
"Football is the greatest TEAM sport in the world and what makes it most special are the athletes," Schaetzle said. "I have been blessed to teach and coach incredible young men. Some were football stars, all are life stars. I have learned so much from our players watching them grow from day 1 of freshmen camp to walking across the stage at graduation."
Under Schaetzle, multiple Lakers have brought home major PSAC major awards. Trevor Kennedy earned back-to-back Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2010 and 2011 while Richie Sanders and Brandon Brown-Dukes earned Freshman of the Year honors in consecutive seasons - 2011 and 2012 respectively. Bryan Boyce earned the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2010 and Ian Wild claimed the Pete Nevins PSAC Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors during the 2010-11 academic year.
No coach stays 20 years at one place without fantastic coaches working with him," said Schaetzle. "I was fortunate to hire great assistants, men who taught me much and will be with me forever."
Off the field, many of his former student-athletes and assistant coaches have joined the coaching ranks, including Brandon Staley (LA Chargers), Joe Lombardi (LA Chargers), Andrew Janocko (Minnesota Vikings), Joe Dever (Cleveland Browns) Erik Thatcher (San Fransico 49ers), Ryan Matviko (Hawaii), Kirk Campbell (Old Dominion), Fred Hale (Notre Dame), and Rob Keefe (Iowa Barnstormers).
The Lakers have also had great success in the classroom during Schaetzle's tenure. He has coached 11 CoSIDA Academic All-Americans and 16 CoSIDA All-District selections. Mercyhurst has also claimed the Top GPA among PSAC squads three times.
My goal has been to help. Help our students-athletes succeed and help Mercyhurst be a better place," said Schaetzle. "I hope I did, in the same way our players and Mercyhurst helped me."
"I am so lucky to be married to a wonderful woman and amazing football wife (Jeannie). She made it possible. We raised four beautiful children (more often her while I was in the office) who all made me a better coach. I was raised in loving family and had so much support from my parents, brother and sisters. I could never thank everyone enough."
A search for Mercyhurst's next head football coach will begin immediately.
