After announcing plans to join forces of one of the longest standing high school football rivalries in the country, it's finally time to meet the coaches who will set the standard for the new era. The coaching staff, composed of both new and returning coaches from both Albion and Medina schools, are eager to guide players from a united front into unfamiliar territory, and build a strong foundation for the journey ahead.
When asked what it means to them to be a part of the Orleans County (OC) Rivals’ inaugural season, a common response was echoed; “It’s an honor.” Get to know the coaching staff more from the Q & A below. For latest news and the fall 2026 game schedule, visit the OC Rivals webpage.
Varsity Coaching Staff
Eric Valley, Varsity Head Coach
Education: Medina High School / Cortland State. I played 4 years in High school and 4 years at Cortland, also played 5 years of Semi Pro football.
Coaching experience: This will be my 31st season. I coached 12 years as an assistant in Medina before taking over as the head coach for 18 years. As a head coach, we have won 6 league championships, 2 sectional championships, over 100 career wins, 2020 Buffalo Bills coach of the year, 2023 Sportsmanship Award given by the section VI officials organization.
What are you most looking forward to this season? The opportunities and friendships that are formed as a result of this merger. Watching these kids come together, learn, and compete at a high level is exciting.
What do you hope to see athletes take away from this season? I want them to learn that working hard with likeminded people for a common cause can be very rewarding and it doesn't matter what your zip code is to be a part of the equation for success.
What does it mean to you to be a part of the OC Rivals inaugural season? After over 125 years of being rivals, I'm extremely proud and humbled to be a part of this next chapter, as the O.C. Rivals.
Ocie Bennett, Varsity Assistant Head Coach
Education: Albion High School / Buffalo State University. I played football at both.
Coaching experience: 19 years of coaching Modified, JV, and Varsity levels combined. Was offensive coordinator for modified, JV, and Varsity in Albion. Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator at Vertus Charter school in Rochester for 3 years. Making an impact on the young men I get to coach and watching them achieve their goals is truly an honor.
What are you most looking forward to this season? I am excited about seeing these two rival teams come together to create a big family and bridge our communities together as one team. Our goal is to be 1% better every day as a team.
What do you hope to see athletes take away from this season? I want them to grow both mentally and physically. I would like for them to see that being competitive is not bad, it helps to bring out the best out in everyone.
What does it mean to you to be a part of the OC Rivals inaugural season? It means that our kids won't lose out on having a program. We hope that our communities will get beside us for the kids and we can bring back that competitive edge.
Brian Fry, Varsity Assistant
Education: Medina High School / Monroe Community College, played baseball. Drafted by the Cincinnati Reds.
Coaching experience: Coached baseball since 2013 and football since 2020, reaching state playoffs in both sports.
What are you most looking forward to this season? Watching the kids compete, learn life lessons, and build lasting friendships.
What do you hope to see athletes take away from this season? / Coaching motto? Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.
What does it mean to you to be a part of the OC Rivals inaugural season? It’s exciting and I'm happy the kids have a chance to continue to play football.
Eric Gross, Varsity Assistant
Education: Medina High School / Edinboro University/ University at Buffalo. Wrestled in college.
Coaching experience: 18th year coaching football.
What are you most looking forward to this season? I am looking forward to working with all the players and watching them grow and compete throughout the season. I want the players to have fun, enjoy playing football and work hard toward a common goal.
What do you hope to see athletes take away from this season? It’s going to take a lot of hard work, but it will be exciting having more numbers to compete. I hope athletes grow as young men and as football players.
What does it mean to you to be a part of the OC Rivals inaugural season? This first season will be special bringing two programs together that have such strong football traditions and expectations.
Devonte Howard, Varsity Assistant/LB
Education: Medina High School. Played football at all levels.
Coaching experience: One year of assistant JV basketball coach, also coached my little girls through 8U softball.
What are you most looking forward to this season? What I’m most looking forward to this season is the friendships within teammates. I hope to see athletes learn the definition of “Teamwork”. T- Together E- Everyone A- Achieves - More. Team Goals: Stay disciplined throughout the whole season. My coaching philosophy is focused on player development, intended to build strong athletes on and off the field. Falling in love with the process of being great human beings, developing good habits and a great mindset will prepare athletes for sports and life. Four core values that help keep my coaching philosophy strong are: Effort, commitment, passion, and integrity.
What does it mean to you to be a part of the OC Rivals inaugural season? It means everything to me. I truly believe my duty in life is to guide athletes and students by coaching to my fullest potential. And having the opportunity to do that in my hometown with the Rivals is nothing short of amazing.
Junior Varsity Coaching Staff
Wesley Bedford, JV Head Coach
Education: Albion High School / Genesee Community College. Played four years of high school football.
Coaching experience: 10 years coaching youth football. 2023 NOFA coach of the year.
What are you most looking forward to this season? I'm looking forward to watching two groups of athletes come together and become one team. If our players leave this season more confident, more disciplined, and understanding the value of teamwork and accountability, then we'll have had a successful year.
What do you hope to see athletes take away from this season? Any Goals? We want to be known as a team that hustles, communicates, and competes with discipline and physicality. One team, one standard.
What does it mean to you to be a part of the OC Rivals inaugural season? Being part of the OC Rivals' inaugural season is a tremendous honor. We have the opportunity to help build something from the ground up and set the standard for what this program will represent for years to come.
Bryan DeGraw, JV Assistant Head Coach
Coaching experience: First year football coach
Education: Wallkill Valley Regional High School / Played Football
What do you hope to see athletes take away from this season? I am hoping to see these players come together, grow, and do great things. Football takes a true team to have success, 11 individuals working together as one. Discipline is doing the things you hate but doing them like you love it.
What does it mean to you to be a part of the OC Rivals inaugural season? I feel blessed to be a part of OC Rivals inaugural season. There is over 100 years of a rivalry that will come together and define a new football future for these 2 schools.
Rocky Sidari, Assistant JV Coach
Education: Albion High School
Coaching experience: I have coached NOFA football for the last 10 years
What are you most looking forward to this season? What I am looking for most this season is that the kids have a great learning experience and a fun season. Also my hopes are to see the program excel with the merger with us and Medina. So far it has been a great experience working with all of the coaches in the offseason.
What does it mean to you to be a part of the OC Rivals inaugural season? It is a great feeling to be a part of this OC Rivals football team. It is a great honor to be given the chance to coach at a high school level and work with some amazing coaches.
Modified Coaching Staff
Jeremy DiMatteo, Modified Head Coach
Education: I attended Albion High School before continuing my education at Clarion University along with playing baseball. My passion for athletics started on the football field, where I played throughout high school, and that passion has carried over into coaching.
Coaching experience: Most of my football coaching experience has been at the youth level, where I've had the opportunity to help lead teams to multiple championship games, including one championship title. I've also spent many years coaching baseball at every level, from youth leagues through high school.
What are you most looking forward to this season? I'm most looking forward to helping our athletes grow—not just as football players, but as young men. Success isn't only measured by wins and losses. It's about building confidence, learning accountability, being a great teammate, and developing a strong work ethic. My goal is for every player to leave this season better than they were when they arrived, both on and off the field.
What does it mean to you to be a part of the OC Rivals inaugural season? It's an honor to be part of the inaugural OC Rivals’ season. Being able to help build a program from the ground up is a unique opportunity, and I'm excited to be part of creating a culture that athletes and families can be proud of for years to come. I'm looking forward to competing, building relationships, and helping lay the foundation for the future of the Rivals.
Chad Kenward, Modified Assistant Head Coach
Education: Medina High School '92. Alfred University '96. Played high school football and a year of college until injury.
What do you hope to see athletes take away from this season? I hope the kids learn the basic fundamentals of football; so they have a solid foundation to move on and excel at the next level.
What does it mean to you to be a part of the OC Rivals inaugural season? The fact that during my high school days Albion was our bitter rival, it was hard to accept this merger. However, after meeting the Albion coaches and players, and practicing with them over the summer, (and the fact that this is necessary means to continue the football programs in both schools), I think it is a great opportunity for the kids and communities to come together and put a solid/competitive football team on the field week to week.
OC Rivals Program Assistant
Gordy Luthart
Education: Medina grad, USMC, SUNY Brockport (bachelor’s and master’s)
Coaching experience: 4 years coaching football in Albion (JV), 25 years coaching football in Medina (JV and Varsity); 24 years coaching lacrosse in Medina
What are you most looking forward to this season? Looking forward to working with new staff and new athletes. Also providing guidance to our younger coaches and doing whatever I can to help the program be successful.
What do you hope to see athletes take away from this season? I hope to see athletes take pride in being part of this inaugural season and have a very positive experience.
What does it mean to you to be a part of the OC Rivals inaugural season? I have an interesting perspective being the only coach in the program to have coached at Albion, coached at Medina, and now with Medina/Albion. I’m looking forward to this new adventure.
Albion Central School District and Medina Central School District joint announcement.