Terry Smith had no intention of leaving his successful job in the WPIAL.

Smith had spent more than a decade as head coach and athletic director at Gateway High School outside of Pittsburgh. And he may well have stayed there if not for a chance visit from a fellow Penn State football alum.

Matt Rhule was the head coach at Temple when he came to Gateway on a recruiting trip. It turned into Smith’s first college job.

“I had a past player of mine that went to Ohio State and he came back to visit me,” Smith said. “He was going through some life changing decision-making, and so I’m sitting there talking, discussing, blah, blah, blah, whatever.

“Matt Rhule is sitting there listening to the conversation, and long story short, Matt appreciated my care for my player at that point. And we just ha

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