MEDINA — For the first time since 1984-85, Medina will have new football and boys basketball coaches.
Athletic director Jeff Harrison is determined to make the right decisions. The football search is near completion after Larry Laird resigned Feb. 13, while the basketball situation is in its infancy after Jody Peters stepped down March 15.
Despite its unstable financial situation, Medina received 68 football applicants. The list has been narrowed to three finalists, and each of them has a history of winning.
Longtime Medina assistant Dan Sutherland, Mentor offensive coordinator Jeff Grubich and Midpark assistant Ray Hradek will be interviewed later this week in hopes of taking over ateam fresh off a 9-3 season and Division I playoff win over Canton McKinley.
“What’s most important to me in filling this position is having high leadership qualities,” Harrison said. “What I believe separates good football coaches from great football coaches is true leadership abilities. These three men represent those qualities.”
Sutherland has been an assistant for the Bees for nearly 10 years. He has long been considered the prime in-house candidate.
Grubich reportedly was a finalist for the Twinsburg opening until the Tigers selected defensive coordinator Joe Schiavone to succeed Mark Solis. With Grubich calling the plays, Mentor reached the Division I state championship game in 2007 and beat Brunswick in the state semifinals. Quarterback Bart Tanski was named Mr. Football for his exploits in the Cardinals’ spread offense.
Meanwhile, Hradek is best known for being Midpark’s head coach from 1988-99, compiling a record of 73-47 while winning two Pioneer Conference titles and securing one playoff berth. He later was an assistant under Brunswick coach Rich Nowak from 2000-03 and receivers coach at Baldwin-Wallace College from 2004-08.
As a standout linebacker at B-W, Hradek helped the Yellow Jackets win the 1978 Division III championship.
“It’s important to bring people in who have experienced success at multiple levels for our program to get where it needs to be,” Harrison said. “We need someone who knows how to get there.
“I truly believe myself, the (athletic) department and other coaches have a philosophy we want to follow. We talk a lot about a culture of championships. It’s not about winning championships, but putting yourself in position to compete at a high level. We’re looking for someone to fit our mold because in our (Northeast Ohio Conference) league you have to compete at a high level.”
Harrison said teaching positions will likely be open due to retirements within the district, including many in core classes that can not be cut.
As for the basketball opening, candidates have until April 18 to submit resumes. Harrison has received more than 20 applications so far and expects that number to grow quickly.
Harrison also said the football search will be over by then, giving him time to put all his efforts into the process.
“You can look at as a great opportunity,” he said. “We’ve been blessed to have many quality coaches here at Medina, and (having both positions open) happened in the same year for a variety of reasons. I look at it as an opportunity to bring people in and lead our young men.”
Contact Albert Grindle at (330) 721-4043 or agrindle@medina-gazette.com.