Coaching Staff
Mark Curcio, Head Coach, Sprints, Hurdles, Relays
Coach Curcio is entering his 12th season as the head coach of the track and field team. He and his staff have led the program to a total of six section titles, a WPIAL team final appearance, 2 WCCA team championships, 3 United Invitational Championships, and the most wins in a single season in program history. Individually, his athletes have earned 6 PIAA State medals, 21 WPIAL medals including 3 WPIAL champions, and have broken 12 school records. Coach Curcio also teaches ELA at DAHS and is pursuing his doctorate in Composition & Applied Linguistics from IUP.
Coach Curcio is entering his 12th season as the head coach of the track and field team. He and his staff have led the program to a total of six section titles, a WPIAL team final appearance, 2 WCCA team championships, 3 United Invitational Championships, and the most wins in a single season in program history. Individually, his athletes have earned 6 PIAA State medals, 21 WPIAL medals including 3 WPIAL champions, and have broken 12 school records. Coach Curcio also teaches ELA at DAHS and is pursuing his doctorate in Composition & Applied Linguistics from IUP.
Gene Brisbane, Jumps
Coach Brisbane enters his second year as assistant track coach at Derry Area in charge of the jumpers. Prior to his time at Derry, he was an assistant at Seton Hill University for 9 years where he was part of 4 conference championships and he had 3 different jumpers attain NCAA D-2 All-American status. before his time at SHU, he was the jumps coach at Hempfield Area High School where he was part of several section championships and two WPIAL title titles. He also coached several WPIAL and PIAA qualifiers with one individual WPIAL Champion. In the winter, he also serves as the head coach of the Lady Trojans basketball team.
Coach Brisbane enters his second year as assistant track coach at Derry Area in charge of the jumpers. Prior to his time at Derry, he was an assistant at Seton Hill University for 9 years where he was part of 4 conference championships and he had 3 different jumpers attain NCAA D-2 All-American status. before his time at SHU, he was the jumps coach at Hempfield Area High School where he was part of several section championships and two WPIAL title titles. He also coached several WPIAL and PIAA qualifiers with one individual WPIAL Champion. In the winter, he also serves as the head coach of the Lady Trojans basketball team.
Dave McNichol, Throws
Coach McNichol is beginning his 9th year as the Varsity Throwing Coach. He has coached 3 state-qualifying athletes who have also broken 4 school records. A lifelong Trojan, Coach McNichol is a 1994 graduate of DAHS who played football and basketball and was a thrower in track. In the javelin, he was the WCCA champion his senior year while also taking 2nd in shot put. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Washington & Jefferson in 1998, where he also started at linebacker, playing in the DIII national championship in 1995. Coach McNichol and his wife, Lisa have twin boys who also attend Derry, Bryce and Cameron.
Coach McNichol is beginning his 9th year as the Varsity Throwing Coach. He has coached 3 state-qualifying athletes who have also broken 4 school records. A lifelong Trojan, Coach McNichol is a 1994 graduate of DAHS who played football and basketball and was a thrower in track. In the javelin, he was the WCCA champion his senior year while also taking 2nd in shot put. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Washington & Jefferson in 1998, where he also started at linebacker, playing in the DIII national championship in 1995. Coach McNichol and his wife, Lisa have twin boys who also attend Derry, Bryce and Cameron.
Greg Rager, Head XC Coach, Distance, Pole Vault
Coach Rager joined the coaching staff in 2017, volunteer coaching the throws. From 2018 to 2021, his jumpers set indoor and outdoor records and competed in 3 WPIAL, 3 indoor, and 2 PIAA State championships. In 2018, he also took over the cross country program and grew it from 8 total athletes to 18 in 2022, when the girls' team won the WCCA AA team title. As a former Trojan, he competed in almost every event, and after graduation, he competed on the track and field team at Cal U. Coach Rager plans on attending IUP this spring to continue his education.
Coach Rager joined the coaching staff in 2017, volunteer coaching the throws. From 2018 to 2021, his jumpers set indoor and outdoor records and competed in 3 WPIAL, 3 indoor, and 2 PIAA State championships. In 2018, he also took over the cross country program and grew it from 8 total athletes to 18 in 2022, when the girls' team won the WCCA AA team title. As a former Trojan, he competed in almost every event, and after graduation, he competed on the track and field team at Cal U. Coach Rager plans on attending IUP this spring to continue his education.