MOVING ON — Troy Fetty talks with Madonna players during a game this past season. Fetty announced Tuesday he stepped down as head coach of the Blue Dons after one season. - Michael D. McElwain

WEIRTON — Troy Fetty announced on Tuesday that he has stepped down as Madonna’s head football coach.

Fetty, who took over late in the preseason last fall when Ted Arneault stepped away to become the principal at Weir, guided the Blue Dons to a 6-4 mark, narrolwy missing the playoffs

He had previously been an assistant at Buckeye Local, his alma mater, Weir and Brooke.

Fetty said in a statement shared with the Herald-Star/Daily Times and on his X account that he was leaving “to pursue other opportunities that align more closely with my career goals.”

“I am grateful for the trust and support Mr. (Phil) Rujak and Mr. (Jason) Heckathorn have extended me during my time at Weirton Madonna High School,” the statement from Fetty said. “Leading the football program has been both a challenging and rewarding experience, and I am proud of the progress that we made during the season. I could not have done it without their guidance and encouragement.

“I also want to thank the players, parents, coaching staff and support staff for their dedication, hard work and commitment to the football program. Your passion and resilience have been truly inspiring, and it has been an honor to work alongside such a talented and dedicated group of individuals.”

The Blue Dons will be looking for their fifth head coach in four seasons.

“I am confident that the football program will continue to thrive under new leadership, and I wish the team and school nothing but success,” the statement continued. “I look forward to the observing the bright futures of the players and people I have befriended in my brief time at Madonna.”