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Militzer finds his way back to Robert Morris

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When Donnie Militzer graduated from Robert Morris University in 2004, he knew that he was going to coach football.

Little did he know that a mere 14 years later, he would return to his alma mater as a member and coach with the football team.

“I have always been close to the program and have always dreamed about going back,” he said. “But I never thought the opportunity would present itself.”

Militzer is the head of High School Relations and also will serve as a defensive assistant.

“I love the role,” said Militzer, who brings plenty of experience with scholar-athletes. “I get to engage with the local high school coaches and still get involved with on-field coaches.”

Militzer has spent 14 years as an educator with the Diocese of Pittsburgh. He is in his eighth year as a principal and second year at St. Gabriel’s.

Militzer spent the past four years as the head coach at Charleroi High School, where he just led the team to a 9-1 regular season, its best record in 20 years.

That was preceded by one year at Gateway as a head coach. He began his coaching career with stops at Bishop Canevin, Peters Township and Carlynton.

This isn’t Militzer’s first foray into the college coaching ranks as he served as an assistant at Carnegie Mellon and Washington & Jefferson.

“I coached at the Division III level for five years and enjoyed it,” he said. “I always dreamed about coaching at the Division I level so this is definitely an opportunity that I am grateful to have.”

Having been a head coach for the last five years, Militzer is ready for the adjustment back to an assistant role.

“I am not the guy calling the shots, which is a change, but it is one that I have embraced,” he said. “My job is to be of service to everyone to help the program succeed. Whatever I can do to help the team win now and build the program, that is what I will do.”

Even though Militzer has moved up to the college ranks, he looks back fondly on his run at Charleroi.

“I miss the players more than anything else,” said Militzer. “We built a true family there and it has been difficult not to be around those guys daily. It has been great to see those guys at some of our events and camps at RMU.”

A big perk for Militzer is that his new role presents him with more down time.

“My commute is significantly less,” he said. “It would take me almost an hour to get home from Charleroi, but now, Robert Morris is only about 25 minutes from my house.”

The Colonials open the season with three exhibition games. On Sept. 1, they are at Dayton before heading home to host Virginia State Sept. 8. After playing at James Madison Sept. 15, the Colonials head to Bryant Sept. 22 to open conference play.

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