Riverside looks to find consistency in 2024 under new head coach Rob Magnifico

NORTH SEWICKLEY — For the second time in as many seasons, Riverside has a new head coach. But even though the Panthers have a new head coach, they didn’t have to look far for Bill Hand’s replacement as the school District elevated Rob Magnifico to the position.

Magnifico spent the past five seasons with the Panthers before assuming the head coaching role while also serving as Ellwood City’s interim head coach in 2018.

Even though it can be an adjustment moving into a new head coaching role, Magnifico has taken it in stride due to his coaching history.

“I have been coaching football for close to 29 years, and I have been a head coach at many different levels," Magnifico said. "Being at Riverside for the past several seasons, I know the kids, and I know what we have as a team. I am confident that we can put together a good product this year, and we are hoping to have a great season.”

Last season, the Panthers struggled with the amount of players that they had on its roster with just 25 players.

However, this season, the Panthers' roster boosted up from 25 players to 39 players entering the season.

Having the influx of players on the roster has given Magnifico the ability to do a lot more in practice and help his team prepare better for the season ahead.

“There are a lot more things that you can do with a bigger roster from what we had last year," Magnifico said. "You can play junior varsity games. If you have some players injured, other guys can step up when the starter is injured. This season, I have three different lines of players that I can use, and now I can get guys that may not get the chance to play varsity reps at the junior varsity level, which is crucial for their development and taking the next step to varsity.”

Ayden Garcia returns for his second year as a starter, and after struggling offensively, Magnifico put together a new style of offense in 2024.

Having the new offense implemented this season, Magnifico believes that it will help Garcia read the defense better and, in turn, find more success throughout the season.

“The offense that we are doing this year, I think that he [Garcia] is more comfortable with what we are running," Magnifico said. "He has stepped up and has gotten a lot better with the reads that he is doing and making the right throws. His arm has gotten stronger, and he's throwing the ball a lot better than he was a season ago and has taken on more of a leadership role.”

Head coach: Rob Magnifico (First season)

2023 record: (1-8, 1-6 Midwestern)

Top players lost: None

Top players returning: Tyler Richards, Brock Oliastro, Jaden Phillips, Ayden Garcia, Robbie Janis, Ryan Theodore, Mason Holler, Zack Hare, Hunter Garcia, Jacob Jackson, Ryan Dugas

Offense: Riverside will run a new-look offense which will help senior quarterback Ayden Garcia find more success throughout the season. Along with Garcia, the team also brings back running back Robbie Janis, who was the team’s leading rusher from a season ago rushing for 916 yards and 12 touchdowns. Along with Garcia and Janis, the team also has a strong receiving option in receiver Zach Hare, who caught 22 passes for 430 yards a season ago.

More: Beaver County Times' 2024 High School football preview

Defense: The Panthers' defense will be anchored this season by the linebacker duo of Zach Hare and Ryan Dugas. With the team’s strengths in the linebacker core, Riverside also returns several key members of its secondary that have grown in height and size over the offseason, and Magnifico has simplified the defense from a year ago to make life easier for his unit during the season.

Classification: 2A

Last WPIAL playoff appearance: 2022

Last WPIAL title: 1985

WPIAL titles: 1

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Riverside looks to find consistency in 2024 under new head coach Rob Magnifico