A Great Ride: North Hills' Pat Carey resigns as Varsity Head Football Coach

Longtime North Hills High School head varsity football coach Pat Carey has resigned. The North Hills School District Board of Education accepted his resignation at its committee meeting on Tuesday evening, Dec. 2. Carey took this year off from coaching and considered returning in 2026 but has decided he will not.

A 1988 graduate of North Hills High School, Carey has been synonymous with North Hills football for decades. He was a captain of the legendary 1987 National Championship team and went on to become a four-year letterman at James Madison University, earning a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology before returning home to teach and coach.

He joined the North Hills football coaching staff in 1995, serving in multiple roles, including assistant coach and defensive coordinator, before being hired as head coach in 2013 to succeed Hall of Famer Jack McCurry.

Over 12 seasons, Carey earned the third-most wins in program history, guided the Indians to nine WPIAL playoff appearances, and led the team to a Section Championship in 2021. His tenure is also the third longest in North Hills history.

Carey has taught health and physical education in the district since 1994 and currently works at North Hills High School. He was inducted into the North Hills Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.

North Hills School District Superintendent Dr. Patrick J. Mannarino praised Carey’s decades of dedication.

He said, “Pat Carey is North Hills through and through. His commitment to our students — on the field, in the classroom, and in our community — has shaped countless young people. We are grateful for his leadership, his integrity, and the deep pride he brought to our football program.”

Director of Athletics Pat Weber echoed those sentiments.

“Coach Carey has been a steady, inspiring presence for our athletes for 30 years,” said Weber. “His impact extends far beyond wins and losses. He built relationships, developed character, and upheld the values that define North Hills athletics. We cannot thank him enough for everything he has given to our school and our community.”

Carey shared his gratitude for a lifetime spent in the program that shaped him.

“I’m a true North Hills guy and I’ll continue to support North Hills in any way,” he told the Post-Gazette. “It’s been a great ride. Just the connection to the community and all the things that go with playing, teaching and coaching there, I’m just proud of my time there and thankful for it."

It is truly the end of an era for North Hills football, closing a chapter defined by dedication, tradition, and a lifetime of service to the program he grew up in. Carey will remain a physical education teacher at North Hills High School.

The district has begun the process of identifying the next varsity head coach. The application period is open through Dec. 19. Interested candidates should apply online.