Former Oilers quarterback Matt LaVerde is the new linebackers coach at Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, Pa. LaVerde, who starred at quarterback for the Oilers from 1993-95, had been defensive coordinator at Franklin the last two years. "I hate to go, but it's an opportunity I can't pass up," LaVerde told Craig Phillips of The Derrick. "It's a stepping stone to a full-time position at the college level." His duties will include full-time coaching and recruiting while he is on full scholarship, which will include classes, tuition and room and board. "I'm real happy for (him),"  said Franklin head coach Tiger LaVerde, Matt's older brother. "He wants to coach at the college level and this is a great opportunity for him. He's excited. "Matt basically did everything for me within the high school," Tiger LaVerde said. "I had a blast coaching with him. We always competed with each other in practice -- the offense against the defense." Matt LaVerde -- who also resigned as a math teacher at Franklin -- will join a W&J staff that includes head coach Mike Sirianni and defensive coordinator John Kline. Sirianni has been offensive coordinator at W&J the last four years. And, like LaVerde, he is a Mt. Union College graduate. Kline has been the defensive line coach at Westminster the last four seasons. Former Pittsburgh Steeler Jon Banaszak was head coach of the Presidents last year when they reached the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs. Banaszak was dismissed following the season. W&J has advanced to the Division III playoffs 13 times, and played for the national championship in 1992 and 1994. "There is a lot of tradition," said LaVerde, whose recruiting areas will include northwestern Pennsylvania, northeastern Ohio and western New York. "This is a great situation." LaVerde was the starting middle linebacker for Mt. Union's NCAA Division III championship team in 2000. After starring at quarterback for Oil City from 1993-95, LaVerde was a preferred walk-on at Penn State. He eventually transferred to Mt. Union, and played on the special teams and served as a backup quarterback and linebacker in 1998 when Mt. Union won its fourth national title with a 44-24 victory over Rowan. LaVerde became a starter at linebacker in 1999, but tore ligaments in his ankle during the NCAA quarterfinals. He sat out of the semifinals -- a loss to Rowan that ended Mt. Union's NCAA record 54-game winning streak. That was the only game LaVerde missed in either his scholastic or collegiate career. Veteran coach Fred Blackhurst will succeed  LaVerde as defensive coordinator at Franklin. Blackhurst, who was head coach of the Knights from 1996-2000, coached the offensive line last season. "(Fred) has a lot of experience and is a great guy," Tiger LaVerde said.  Dave Smith, a former Knight who just finished an outstanding career at Edinboro, will join the FHS staff,  LaVerde said.