Matt Miller, the longtime head football coach at McKeesport High School, insists that he never submitted a resignation, even as the school board moved to accept one.
During a recent meeting, the board voted 5‑3 to place Miller’s resignation on the personnel log, a step that has sparked a public clash between the coach and the district’s leadership.
Superintendent Donald MacFann and solicitor Gary Matta did not respond to requests for comment, while the personnel sheet filed after the vote listed Tom Smith as the new head coach and named six assistants.
Board members Mark Holtzman and Matthew Holtzman have publicly stated that they have been trying to keep the head coaching position open for months, a move that adds pressure on Miller’s future with the program.
Board dissent and alleged religious bias
Former NFL player Brandon Short, a native of McKeesport, has called for a change in leadership, accusing Miller of failing to express condolences to his family and of separating the football program from broader testimony.
Board members David Seropian, David Donato and Matthew Keller opposed the personnel report, with Donato questioning the board’s authority to accept a resignation and hinting at possible religious motivations behind the decision.
In a written statement, Miller said the board’s conduct and public statements have painted him in a false and defamatory light, emphasizing that he was fired without cause and has not been informed of any alleged wrongdoing.
Miller said he met with the high school athletic director on June 11 and was told he could resign, only to learn on June 12 that rumors of his resignation were circulating, a timeline he has been trying to clarify while coordinating a meeting with MacFann and the director.
Miller, who was appointed coach in 2016, has compiled a record of 89‑31, guiding his teams to the WPIAL championship game four times, including each of the past three seasons.