Elk County Catholic High School is pleased to announce that Mr. Tim Pearson has agreed to serve as head football coach for the Crusaders.
Pearson, a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, has deep ties to ECC and its football program. A native of St. Marys, he attended elementary school at St. Mary’s Parochial and graduated from ECC in 1989. He played Crusader football for four years, and has since served as an assistant coach. His two daughters also graduated from ECC and he currently works as a teacher at the school.
“I am really excited about continuing to build the football program at ECC,” Pearson said. “Coach Tony Gerg did such a great job with these kids. I am coming into a situation where we have a core of players who love football and know how to win.”
ECC Head Coach Tony Gerg recently stepped down after coaching at ECC for 14 years. The Crusaders finished last year with a 7-2 record, and Gerg was named Coach of the Year in Region 3 of the District 9 Football league.
ECC Athletic Director Aaron Straub considers Pearson’s hiring as a best-case-scenario for the Crusader football program. “Coach Pearson brings excellent football knowledge and a passion for Catholic education to the Crusader program,” he said. “Tony Gerg was one of the most respected coaches in the area. I am sure Coach Pearson will hit the ground running and build on a great 2022 season.”
Pearson said he is currently building a staff and generating excitement in the school. “Crusader football has meant a lot to me ever since I was a player,” he said. “It taught me a lot about discipline, hard work and other values that served me well in my military career and in other aspects of my life. I know that ECC can put a great team on the field, have a lot of success, and build a program for our current and future players.”
Pearson holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University where he was commissioned from the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) in 1994 He also holds a Master of Science Degree in Computing and Information Systems from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. He retired from the Air Force on January 31, 2015, after more than 20 years on active duty. His assignments included numerous overseas deployments and assignments at the Pentagon in Washington, DC.
Mr. Pearson’s awards and decorations include two Bronze Stars, two Defense Meritorious Service Medals, three Air Force Meritorious Service Medals, and the Joint Service Commendation Medal as well as numerous other individual and unit awards. He was also a qualified Parachutist. Pearson also served at City Manager for the City of St. Marys from 2015 to 2020.
Mr. Pearson is the son of Dave and Margie Pearson of St. Marys. He is married to the former Bonnie Eisenman of Venus, Pennsylvania. Their daughter Katie lives in Pittsburgh, and their daughter Ellie lives in St. Marys. He also has 2 grandsons who he adores, and hopes will someday be Crusader football players.
