St. Vincent–St. Mary has rehired Marcus Wattley Sr. as its Head Football Coach and Director of Retention & Academic Success. Wattley previously coached the Irish to a 20–6 record and two playoff appearances in 2016–17 after helping lead the program to state championships in 2012 and 2013 as an assistant. He returns after serving as Defensive Coordinator at Archbishop Hoban, which went 10–2 and reached a regional final in 2025.

Wattley has more than 20 years of coaching experience across high school and college football, including a 31–15 overall record as a high school head coach. The Beacon Journal reports his time at Canton McKinley ended in 2021 after a controversial discipline incident involving a player and pepperoni pizza. St. Vincent-St. Mary officials said the matter has been resolved and did not impact the hiring decision.

“Marcus Wattley’s leadership and football acumen are proven,” St. Vincent-St. Mary President Dave Vitatoe said. “We’re excited to usher in this new era of St. Vincent-St. Mary football.”

“I am incredibly appreciative and excited to return to St. Vincent–St. Mary as Head Football Coach,” Wattley said in an online news release. “‘Irish Pride’ still runs deep here… Go Irish!”

As part of his role, Wattley will also lead student retention initiatives and academic support for student-athletes.