Regula resigns as Derry girls basketball coach

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Wednesday, March 27, 2019 | 4:21 PM

Matt Regula’s stay was short at Derry, his departure not altogether by his choice. But he looks back on his time coaching the girls basketball team at his alma mater with pride.

“It gave me the chance to prove that I can be a successful head coach,” said Regula, who resigned after one season. “At the end of the day, it is hard to stay somewhere that you feel unwelcome. I can promise you that I am not done and plan on coaching next year. The only questions are where and in what capacity. We will just have to wait and see.”

Derry finished 9-11 overall and 7-7 in Section 3-3A, a game out of fourth place and a potential playoff spot.

Regula spent the previous season as an assistant at Derry so parting ways with a group in which he’s come to know is not altogether easy.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the student-athletes at Derry over the last two seasons,” Regula said. “I am proud of the strides that the team made from last year and throughout this season. I leave behind a group of girls that has talent but is also a collection of good students and people.

“I would like to thank them for their hard work and dedication.”

Regula was the team’s third coach in as many seasons. Rich Zemba coached the Trojans for five years, until 2017. William Tyler Johnson took over for a year before leaving to become the men’s head coach at Westmoreland County Community College.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Derry Area