Scott Venick enters his 15
th season as Waynesburg’s defensive coordinator and will also work closely with the team's secondary in 2020. Venick joined the Yellow Jacket staff in the summer of 2006 following a two-year stint at nearby Washington & Jefferson.
This past fall, the Waynesburg defense not only had the top passing defense in the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC), but the unit also ranked among the nation's best statistically. The Yellow Jackets allowed opposing passers to complete just 89-of-190 pass attempts for 1,109 yards and eight touchdowns, all of which were the lowest in the conference. The team's passing yards allowed per game average of 110.9 was the second-lowest mark in all of Division III, and the eight touchdown passes allowed was the fourth-lowest total in the country. The unit also produced nine interceptions on the season.
In 2014, Waynesburg boasted the top red zone defense in the PAC for the second consecutive season. The Yellow Jackets also finished among the conference leaders in turnover margin, scoring defense and third down conversions.
In 2013, Venick graduated two of Waynesburg's most impactful defenders in safety Bryan Gary and defensive end Brandon Fedorka. Gary earned the rare distinction of being a four-time, first-team All-PAC selection. Fedorka was named an Associated Press Little All-American and PAC Defensive Player of the Year.
During the 2012 season, Venick's defense boasted a pair of All-Americans in senior cornerback Sean Hunt and senior defensive lineman Darryl Moore, Jr., while the 2011 Jacket defense led the PAC in sacks (30) and tackles for loss (76).
After laying the foundations of his defense during his first year with the program, Venick’s finest work was on display in 2007 as Waynesburg featured the top defense in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference.
Over the span of 11 games, opponents averaged just 17.8 points per game, 68.1 rushing yards per game and 1.9 yards per carry. Individually, senior defensive end Mike Czerwien led the nation in sacks (23) and tackles for loss (34.5). Another senior, inside linebacker Brendon Steele, also had a memorable final college season as he led the team with 93 tackles with 10.5 TFL, two sacks and three interceptions.
In his first season at W&J (2004), he coached a Presidents secondary that recorded 27 interceptions, led by two-time All-American safety Frank Pilato. The defense guided the team to a school-record 12 victories and advanced to the NCAA Division III quarterfinals.
Venick got his start in coaching in 1992, serving as defensive coordinator for Jefferson-Morgan high School, his alma mater, for five seasons. From there he coached the defense at Ringgold for three seasons before taking the head coaching position of the Rams in 2000.
In two seasons as head coach, he guided Ringgold to an 11-3 conference record, including a Quad West Conference Championship.
As a player, Venick was a free safety at Salem College. He is a 1992 graduate of Waynesburg Central High School. He and his wife, Julie, have three daughters, Emily, Kaylin and Riley.
