By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

Ravenna High School has announced the hiring of Brian “Fuzz” Coman to be its new varsity football head coach.

Coman, who will be formally approved by the Ravenna Board of Education on June 24, is a 1988 graduate of Ravenna and was a standout multi-sport athlete for the Ravens.

He replaces Joe Callihan, who resigned in April after going 6-14 over two seasons.

“I am excited to be named the next head coach of the Ravenna football program,” Coman said in a release. “Ravenna football is near and dear to my heart. Coming home and being entrusted with the dreams and goals of our young people is a dream come true.”

Coman has 26 years of coaching experience and holds a historic place for the Ravens’ football program as the first player in school history to start 40 straight games during his career.

He most recently was the offensive coordinator at Akron East, a position he has held since 2009. Prior to his time coaching the Dragons, Coman coached as an assistant at Stow and Ravenna.

“Along with his 26 years of coaching experience and playing success, the district now has someone who will help build good men, good citizens and preparem them for post-secondary success,” Ravenna Superintendent Laura Hebert said. “His personal work experience, combined with his athletic and coaching background, will allow our students to grow as student-athletes.”

Ravenna School District Board President Michael Wisniewski shared in the excitement of Coman’s hiring.

“We are extremely fortunate that coach Coman was interested and said yes,” Wisniewski said. “Our district will benefit, not only from his experience, but also from his deep ties to the community and with the football program.”

After graduating from Ravenna, Coman went on to play football at Youngstown State University, where he won a National Championship in 1991 playing for Jim Tressel. He was a walk-on player, who lettered all four years of his college career.

Coman now works as an adult probation officer for Portage County.