Ed Dalton

Background

About Ed Dalton

The Legacy of Coach Ed Dalton: A Story of Transformation and Triumph (written by Joey the sports blogger) When Ed Dalton became head coach at Purchase Line High School in 1988, he faced a daunting task: a team that had won only one of its last 29 games. But failure was not in Dalton’s playbook. Within a year, he turned the struggling team into a powerhouse, achieving an 18-game winning streak and taking them to the state semi-finals. The legendary 1990 team is still celebrated in Indiana County as one of the best high school football teams in its history. In 1992, Dalton brought his winning touch to Mount Pleasant High School, leading them to the WPIAL playoffs in his first season and an undefeated regular season by 1993. Then, in 1994, he took on the challenge of rebuilding Altoona High School’s football program. Under his leadership, Altoona reached the District 6 Finals in his second season and won the District Championship in 1996. The 1997 team went undefeated in the regular season for the first time in 30 years, highlighted by a victory over Cincinnati Moeller, then ranked #4 nationally. Dalton’s next challenge came in at Trinity High School, where he became the first Athletic Director and Head Football Coach in Washington County. Trinity’s program had only four wins in its last 40 games, but by Dalton had led them to the WPIAL playoffs. His leadership yielded seven consecutive playoff appearances, including one of the biggest upsets in WPIAL history in 2005 when his team defeated second-seeded Penn Hills. Dalton’s tenure saw eight Division I scholarships and 181 players moving on to collegiate football, transforming Trinity into a program known for its competitive spirit and player development. In 2012, Dalton took on yet another challenge at McGuffey High School, leading them back to the playoffs after a 16-game losing streak and competing for the section championship for five straight years. By the end of his tenure, his teams had more playoff appearances than all previous McGuffey teams combined. Coach Dalton is one of only two Pennsylvania coaches to lead five different teams to the state playoffs, with over 225 victories in his career. Inducted into the Tri-County Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 2014, Dalton’s influence on Pennsylvania football is profound. His legacy is defined by his transformative power—creating success from adversity and inspiring players to reach new heights. His story is more than wins; it’s a legacy of resilience and dedication that has left an indelible mark on high school football in Pennsylvania.