TOLEDO, Ohio — Just days after the final weekend in Ohio high school football took place in Canton, multiple programs are now looking for a new head coach.
This week alone, Whitmer's Ken Winters, Clay's John Galyas and Gibsonburg's Joe Wyant all decided to step down as head coaches.
For Winters, he spent over two decades with the Panthers and led Whitmer High School for the past nine seasons. Over that span, he won 72 percent of his games and won two league championships during his tenure. He also earned 2024 District Coach of the Year this fall. Washington Local Schools plans to officially open the job following its board meeting on Dec. 18.
Another changing of the guard will take place at Clay High School. John Galyas turning in his resignation after an 8-year stint with the Eagles. This past season, he led the program to its first league title since 1982 after capturing the 2024 Northern Lakes League Cardinal Division Championship.
According to the school's press release, Galyas wants to prioritize personal matters. Clay will begin looking for a new leader in the coming weeks.
In Gibsonburg, 71-year-old Joe Wyant has decided to retire. He spent the last five seasons guiding the Golden Bears where he compiled a record of 36-19 and included four playoff victories. His team finished 9-3 this past season.
Wyant is leaving the door open to possibly returning to football as an assistant coach down the road, but for now, he tells WTOL 11 that it's time for a break.
"It wasn't an easy decision. Tough because I really like the kids and assistant coaches," Wyant said. "Just think now is a good time, want to leave it better than I got it"
Earlier in the offseason, Larry McDaniel left St. John's Jesuit after eight years. The Titans hired Anthony Wayne offensive coordinator Joe Horn to that role on Wednesday.
Travis Cooper stepped away from Defiance High School in late November citing a "recharge." He led the Bulldogs for four years and tallied three straight winning seasons, including a playoff victory in the fall.
Ed Nasonti, of Bellevue High School, retired last month as well following a 44-year career at his alma mater (10 years of which he served as an assistant). He racked up 260 career wins and was inducted into the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2022.
Springfield High School is seeking a new head coach, too, after LaCharles Smith left the program following back-to-back 2-8 campaigns.