Malvern Prep picks W.C. East’s Gueriera as new head coach

Malvern Prep has been looking for a new head football coach since November, when Aaron Brady left after three years at the helm. It turns out, the Friars didn’t have to go far to find their man.

Brady’s replacement comes from just a few miles down Paoli Pike, as West Chester East coach Dave Gueriera will leave the Vikings to take over at Malvern Prep.

Gueriera spoke with PaPrepLive.com after the announcement.

“Malvern job was attractive because of the great administrators, faculty and alumni,” Gueriera said. “The school has a rich football tradition, and it allows me to outwardly embrace my Catholic faith and attract students to a fantastic academic environment.”

The announcement was made Tuesday morning by athletic director Kurt Ruch.

“First of all, I want to say that we had an outstanding pool of candidates for this position and that speaks volumes about the reputation of the program,” Ruch said. “We felt Dave has the right combination of knowledge, experience, passion and connection to the Malvern community to lead our program. And more than that he is a fantastic person who is family oriented and will be a great role model for our boys.”

Gueriera was the quarterbacks coach at Malvern during the 2009 and 2010 seasons under then-head coach Kevin Pelligrini, before becoming the offensive coordinator at Harriton High School in 2011 and then the offensive coordinator for Episcopal Academy in 2012 and 2013. Gueriera took over at West Chester East in 2014, and this past season he led the Vikings to a first round district playoff win, breaking a 10-year playoff drought at the school. He won 15 games in his three years at West Chester East, going 5-7 in 2016.

“Dave did just an awesome job with the program in the three years he was head football coach,” said West Chester East athletic director Sue Cornelius. “He really did a great job and all we can do is thank him and wish him luck at Malvern.”

Gueriera spoke to the returning Friar players Tuesday morning at the school and had a message for his new team.

“I’m home. I am honored and thrilled tone your head coach. we are going to play fast and physical football. I am an emotional guy and I expect you to play with the same emotion. Most importantly, know that I am here for you. I put you first and you will do the same for each other. It is about the team.”

Malvern Prep returns many key players from a team that went 8-3 overall last season and 4-1 in InterAcademic League play.

As for the vacancy at West Chester East, Cornelius said the position would be posted soon for interested applicants.

Dave Gueriera