Legendary Blackhawk HC Joe Hamilton passes

Tagged under: Coaches Corner, District 7, News

Billy Splain | October 6, 2026

There are few coaches who have made an impact on high school football than Joe Hamilton. His work ethic was extraordinary and his coaching record reflects that. Hamilton was a head coach for 49 years in the WPIAL. Starting at Midland HS in 1966, then to New Brighton, where he won his first title, from 1968-1974. He spent one year at Hempfield before taking over at Blackhawk. There he went on to become one of the best coaches District 7 has ever seen.

At Blackhawk he compiled a record of 280-142-7, and was 342-168-11 over his career, eventually retiring in 2014. He led the Cougars to four WPIAL titles and his team reached the state title game in 1992, 1993 and 1996.

• PSFCA Hall of Fame: Class of 1997
• Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame
• WPIAL Hall of Fame (Class of 2015)
• Geneva Hall of Fame 2020
• Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame

Joe was inducted into the WPIAL Hall of Fame in 2015 and he’s been a member of the PSFCA Hall of Fame since 1997. Joe was a PSFCA Director and also coached in the PSFCA Big 33 and the East/West games.   “Joe was just a really really good guy, he really cared about the game and the players. You couldn’t find a better guy, a man who loved the game” said PSFCA Executive Director Garry Cathell. “We spent a lot of time together for the PSFCA. We were always roommates and I used to tease him and I said “ya know I think I’ve spent more time rooming with you than my wife””.

Coach Hamilton passed away Tuesday morning, he was 84 years old.