Father Ryan football names former Tennessee Titans QB Zach Mettenberger next coach

Posted by author February 18, 2025 Football

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Father Ryan football has promoted offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Zach Mettenberger to become coach of the Irish program, the school announced.

The former Tennessee Titans and LSU quarterback replaces Brian Rector who spent nine seasons at Father Ryan compiling a 39-60 overall record before resigning in November. The Irish were 7-4 last fall advancing to the TSSAA Division II-AAA football state quarterfinals, losing to Brentwood Academy, 43-14.

In Mettenberger’s first season as Father Ryan’s offensive coordinator, the Irish averaged 26 points a game while Rector enjoyed his most successful season as coach. Quarterback Joseph Derrick had a breakout year, throwing for over 2,400 yards and 26 touchdowns.

“Coach Mettenberger brings a wealth of experience to Father Ryan’s Football program from his time as a standout collegiate player at LSU to his career in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans, and his transition into coaching,” Father Ryan principal Francisco M. Espinosa Jr. said. “His passion, leadership, and commitment to excellence will undoubtedly strengthen our program, and I am excited to see its continued growth and success under his leadership.”

Mettenberger is in his second stint with the program, having previously coached at Father Ryan in 2021. He spent two years as a football analyst for Nick Saban at Alabama in 2022 and 2023 but returned to Nashville in March of last year after Saban’s retirement in January of 2024. He also served as Hillsboro’s offensive coordinator in 2020.

“I am honored by the opportunity to serve as a leader of Father Ryan’s historic Football program and foster the legacy of excellence created by those who came before me in this role,” Mettenberger said. “I look forward to working with the coaches to help our student-athletes become the best version of themselves and to continue developing a program that makes the entire Father Ryan community proud to cheer on the Irish.”

Mettenberger is one of eight former Titans players who are coaching high school football in the Nashville area, including three others who spent time with the Titans’ practice squad.

He was a sixth-round draft pick by the Titans in the 2014 NFL Draft and made 10 starts in 14 games. He was released by Tennessee in 2016 but threw for 1,412 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions as a rookie. In two seasons with the Titans, he threw for 2,347 passing yards with 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

He played three seasons at LSU (2011-2013), earned the starting QB spot in 2012 and led LSU to a combined 19-6 record in 2012 and 2013. He finished his career in Baton Rouge, throwing for 5,783 yards, 35 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

Mettenberger is the latest high school coaching hire in the Nashville area, which includes Roc Batten (Pope John Paul II), Chris Chauvin (MBA), Scott Blade (Independence), James Counce (Rockvale), JR Kirby (Henry County), Ryan Harris (Westmoreland), Eric Belew (Warren County), Stratie Young (Rossview) and Garrick Barnett (Lawrence County).

Reach sports writer George Robinson at georgerobinsontheleafchronicle.com and on the X platform (formerly Twitter) @Cville_Sports.