It took Joel Dolinski 10 years to obtain his first head coaching job, but he considers it a fast ride to the top.

"It's such an honor to be the second head football coach in the history of Seton Hill university," he said. "It has been a fast ride. I've been so fortunate to work with so many talented coaches over the years. Now comes my chance."

Dolinski, a 1993 Ambridge High School graduate, was named head coach at Seton Hill shortly after the 2007 season concluded. He replaces Chris Snyder, who stepped down after guiding the Griffins their first three years of existence.

"In 2003, university president JoAnne Boyle and the Seton Hill Board of Trustees had the vision to field a football team at Seton Hill," Dolinski said. "Through the guidance and leadership of Chris Snyder, that vision has been met and a foundation for success has been laid. It is now my responsibility to continue building this program and to take the next step and build a winning tradition."

Dolinski was a three-year starter at Ambridge and named to the Associated Press Big School All-State Team as a junior offensive lineman. After graduating from Ambridge, he continued his academic and athletic career at the University of Cincinnati. He was a four-year letterman and three-year starter for the Bearcats, earning a degree in communications.

"I was exposed to some of the best football coaches in the country during my time as a student-athlete at the University of Cincinnati," said Dolinski, referring to Chicago Bears offensive line coach Harry Heistand, Steelers offensive line coach Larry Zierlein, and John Harbaugh, who was recently named coach of the Baltimore Ravens.

"I learned a lot from them. They were very influential in my development as a player, coach, and overall person."

Dolinski began his coaching career at Bethany College in 1998 as the offensive line coach. That is where he met Snyder.

"Chris and I worked very well together," he said. "It was not the easiest of coaching jobs. We were required to do a lot more then just coach. We were part time equipment guys, video guys, academic support, and strength coaches to name a few, but that formed a relationship between Chris Snyder and I that has lasted 10 years."

The following year, Dolinski returned to the University of Cincinnati as a graduate assistant, with the responsibility of coaching the tight ends. In 2000, Dolinski was hired as the Bearcats offensive line coach. He also served as an athletic administrator, working in compliance and academics for three years. While at Cincinnati, Dolinski completed his masters in education and in educational foundations.

"My time at UC was outstanding," he said. "I learned a lot about making tough decisions from [then] head coach Rick Minter. I also worked with a great young coach named Mike Tomlin."

Dolinski often visits the Steelers coach, Zierlein, and (Steelers assistant special teams coach) Amos Jones at the Steelers complex to see if he can learn any new tricks.

"I really can't believe how lucky I am to have been on a staff with three coaches at UC that now all work for the Pittsburgh Steelers," he said, referring to the fact that Amos was also a coach at Cincinnati. "I am very thankful to have that kind of access to a NFL team and its coaches. You can never stop learning something new about the game."

Dolinski was offensive line coach and running game coordinator in his first two seasons at Seton Hill. He also took on the responsibility of compliance coordinator. Last season, he was promoted to offensive coordinator, while retaining his position as offensive line coach.

"Seton Hill is close to completing its move to NCAA Division II," Dolinski said. "We have been a provisional member, competing in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC), the last two years. That is why Chris [Snyder] stepped down as coach. There is much more responsibility as athletic director in the NCAA, so he wanted to concentrate on that."

Seton Hill has all but two starters back from last year's squad that finished 3-8.

"We won one game in our first season, two games in our second season, and three last season," Dolinski said. "If that trend continues, we should be really good by year 10."

Dolinski's first training camp begins Aug. 6. The Griffins first game is Aug. 30 against Slippery Rock.

"We have 26 seniors and most of them have been with us since the start," he said. "We also signed some very talented younger players who could come in and make an impact. But talent is not enough. We need the seniors and captains to step up into leadership roles."

Dolinski may be a Cincinnati graduate, but he's very proud of his ties to Western Pennsylvania.

"I am proud of my roots and very proud to be from an area of the country known for blue-collar, hard-working individuals," he said.

"And I love our football-rich tradition here in Western Pennsylvania at all levels: high school, college, and professional."