Penn-Trafford community mourning sudden death of freshman football coach TJ Detruf

The Penn-Trafford community is mourning the sudden death of one of its high school football coaches.

TJ Detruf, an assistant freshman football coach at Penn-Trafford for three years, died Saturday at his home in Hempfield, Penn-Trafford head football Coach John Ruane said. He was 41.

The cause of death and details of funeral arrangements were not immediately available.

Detruf previously coached at Jeannette, where he played quarterback. With his wife, Jen, he is the father of Dom Detruf, current quarterback at Hempfield Area High School.

“TJ was at our 7on7 at Hempfield last Thursday, watching Dom play QB for Hempfield against us, while wearing his PT gear,” Ruane said in a letter to Penn-Trafford families. “He always said he wanted to be at PT for the long haul.”

In a statement, Penn-Trafford athletic Director Kerry Hetrick said community members are deeply saddened by the loss of Detruf.

“TJ was a dedicated father, husband and coach who inspired countless student athletes, and we will miss him dearly,” he said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Coach TJ’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”

The Penn-Trafford Football Boosters are collecting donations to support Detruf’s family. A Venmo QR code is available on the group’s Facebook page.

“We want to give every dime to the Detruf family for anything they need it for,” Ruane said.

The boosters group said Detruf “has been an integral part of our football family, and his contributions have left an indelible mark on all of us.

“His dedication, passion, and unwavering support for our players have been truly inspiring, and his absence will be deeply felt by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.”

In his letter, Ruane said Detruf loved his family and was an outstanding, highly regarded coach.

“He was charismatic, dedicated, intelligent and a great teacher. He has influenced our kids, coached them the right way, treated them the right way and got them varsity-ready in his time at Penn-Trafford,” he wrote. “This was a man you would want around your sons, and he will be missed dearly.”

Ruane said he is keeping Detruf’s wife and son in his thoughts, and he asked others to do the same.

“Football is not on our minds right now,” he wrote. “It will be an adjustment for all of us when we get back to it.”