Father Ryan High School in Nashville, Tennessee, has appointed former LSU and NFL quarterback Zach Mettenberger as its new head football coach. Mettenberger, who previously served as the school’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, steps into the head coaching role following the resignation of Brian Rector, who led the program for nine seasons.
During his tenure as offensive coordinator, Mettenberger’s leadership was instrumental in the team’s success. Under his guidance, the Irish achieved a 7-4 record and advanced to the TSSAA Division II-AAA state quarterfinals, where they faced Brentwood Academy. The team’s offensive performance was notable, with quarterback Joseph Derrick throwing for over 2,400 yards and 26 touchdowns, while the team averaged 26 points per game.
Mettenberger’s extensive football background includes a distinguished collegiate career at LSU, where he amassed over 5,700 passing yards and 35 touchdowns. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft and played two seasons with the team. After his playing career, he transitioned into coaching, serving as an offensive coordinator at Hillsboro High School in Tennessee and as a football analyst under Nick Saban at Alabama.
Father Ryan Principal Francisco M. Espinosa Jr. expressed confidence in Mettenberger’s ability to lead the program, highlighting his passion, leadership, and commitment to excellence. Espinosa stated, “His passion, leadership, and commitment to excellence will undoubtedly strengthen our program, and I am excited to see its continued growth and success under his leadership.”
Mettenberger’s appointment is expected to bring a wealth of experience and a winning mindset to Father Ryan High School’s football program, as he aims to build upon the strong foundation established by his predecessors and lead the team to new heights both on and off the field.
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