Red Raider Football Coaching Staff

Erik Werner, Head Coach

After graduating from Warren Area HS (PA) in 1998, Erik went on to play football for 4 years at Alfred University and earn a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics in 2002. A 3-time letterwinner as an offensive lineman and tight end, he was selected as a team captain in 2001. After serving one year as an assistant at Alfred, Erik joined the Hornell coaching staff for the 2003 season as a varsity assistant. In 2006 and 2007, Erik served as the Junior Varsity Head Coach before returning to the varsity staff as the Defensive Coordinator in 2008. Coach Werner’s defensive squads played a major role in winning 3 consecutive NYS Class B titles from 2009 to 2011. In his first season as head coach, Erik took the Red Raiders to a fourth consecutive state title game. Erik works as a math teacher at Hornell High School, and lives in Hornell with his wife, Erin, and their two sons, Logan and Harrison.

Gary Kelleher, Defensive Coordinator

Gary lives in Hornell, where he teaches 11th grade U.S. History and Government and A.P. / A.C.E. United States History at Hornell High School. Outside of work and football, he enjoys spending as much time as possible with his amazing fiancée, Natalie Crosby. Coach Kelleher played varsity football for the Red Raiders from 2001-2003 and has been coaching football for 12 years.

Dr.Ismail Mehr, Assistant Coach (WRs and DBs)

Coach Mehr was a Red Raider player from 1987-1990. After graduating in 1991 he walked on to the University Buffalo football team. While in medical school he played for four years in the Caribbean football league. He is married with 2 kids and is a practicing anesthesiologist at St. James Hospital. He has been on the Raider Football coaching staff for 20 years.