Pius X Alumnus Selected to Lead Thunderbolt Football Program
Athletic Director Tim Aylward announced today that assistant coach Ryan Kearney will replace him as the head football coach of the Pius X Thunderbolts in Lincoln. Kearney will be only the third football coach in the school’s history, filling the shoes of Aylward and his predecessor Coach Vince Aldrich.
“I am honored and humbled to be given this opportunity by God to serve Pius X High School as the new head football coach,” noted Kearney. “I am excited to continue the outstanding tradition, which was established by Vince Aldrich and continued by Tim Aylward, of helping young men use the sport of football to grow within the core values of Pius X High School.”
A 1998 Pius X alumnus, Kearney played for Coach Aylward ’69 during the 1990s and was a member of the Thunderbolts’ 1997 state championship team. He has also served as an assistant to Aylward since 2004, starting as an assistant position coach before moving to coaching linebackers and tight ends. Kearney was named defensive coordinator in 2006.
Aylward retired at the end of the 2015 season after 31 years, posted a 208 win and 133 loss record, and claimed four state championships. “Ryan is a good person to lead the Pius X football program. He’s been in the program for the past 12 years, is very organized, and is a very good coach. He will do an outstanding job.”
Kearney began his teaching and coaching career at Pius X in 2004. He taught Biology and Chemistry before eventually moving to a full-time position as a health and PE instructor. Today he also serves as the physical education department chair. “I would like to thank Tim Aylward for his service and for the role model he has been for me and countless young men who played for and coached with him. I will forever be indebted to him,” Kearney said. “When he offered me the job, Tim gave me this piece of advice: “Be yourself.” That put me at ease. I am not expected to be him. I, my coaching staff, and our student athletes just need to strive to be the best versions of ourselves each day.”
