Ryan Lehmeier

Bio

Ryan Lehmeier enters his fourth season as head coach of the Central Catholic Vikings with a proven record of championship success, sustained excellence, and elite player development. Through his first three seasons at the helm, Lehmeier has guided the Vikings to an exceptional 35–7 overall record, an undefeated 16–0 conference record, and three consecutive conference championships.
Central Catholic has enjoyed unprecedented success under Lehmeier’s leadership. The 2024 season marked a historic milestone, as the Vikings captured the WPIAL 6A Championship and finished as the PIAA State Championship Runner-Up. During that championship run, Central Catholic produced a 12-game winning streak, outscoring opponents 557–155. That dominance continued in 2025, when the Vikings again claimed the WPIAL 6A Championship, secured another conference title, and earned a second consecutive PIAA State Runner-Up finish, highlighted by a 13-game winning streak in which the Vikings outscored opponents 591–128.

Since taking over the program, Lehmeier has consistently developed high-level talent. Under his guidance, Central Catholic players have earned multiple All-Conference selections, twelve Associated Press All-State honors, nine Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 selections, and 10 Tribune-Review Terrific 25 selections. His athletes have also received major individual recognition, including the 2024 and 2025 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Player of the Year, the 2024 KDKA WPIAL 6A Player of the Year, the 2025 Trib HSSN Player of the Year, the 2023 Willie Thrower Award, and a 2024 U.S. Navy All-American Game selection.

Lehmeier’s leadership and program-building success have been widely recognized. He was named WPIAL 6A Coach of the Year in both 2023 and 2024 and earned Pittsburgh Steelers High School Coach of the Week honors in 2025. Additionally, 32 former Vikings are currently continuing their football careers at the collegiate level, including nine competing at Power Four conference programs.

Program Performance Under Lehmeier
Conference Record: 16–0 (Three Conference Championships)


Regular Season vs. WPIAL Opponents: 25–2 (.926)


WPIAL Playoffs: 5–1 (.833)


PIAA Playoffs: 4–2 (.660)


Prior to becoming head coach at Central Catholic, Lehmeier served as Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach at Seneca Valley during the 2021–2022 seasons. Before that, he spent six years at Pine-Richland High School, including four seasons as Offensive Coordinator (2017–2020). During that span, the Rams compiled a dominant 47–5 record, captured three WPIAL Championships, and won two PIAA State Championships, establishing themselves as one of Pennsylvania’s premier high school football programs.

Lehmeier began his coaching career at the collegiate level at the University of Findlay (NCAA Division II), serving as Running Backs Coach from 2010–2012, before joining the staff at Duquesne University, where he contributed to the Dukes’ 2013 Northeast Conference Championship.

A graduate of Slippery Rock University, Lehmeier was a four-year letterman and two-time All-PSAC selection at running back. He currently teaches Health and Physical Education in the Pittsburgh Public Schools. Ryan and his wife, Diana, have four sons and are members of Our Lady of the Lakes Parish.