It was confirmed yesterday by several news outlets and the news continues to shock those who have heard it. Dan Sutherland has stepped down as the head coach of Medina Varsity Football.
We here at NEO Sports want to congratulate and wish good luck to coach Sutherland. He is a great man, very humble and it was our honor to cover him and his team this year on their magical run, They finished 8-2 and made it to the second round of the OHSAA High School Playoffs, despite the fact that starting quarterback John Curtis went down to injury in week five.
Great job this season coach Sutherland! Apparently we weren’t the only ones impressed with Coach as he was voted the Cleveland Browns High School coach of the year, an award he received yesterday on the field at Cleveland Browns Stadium. He was the lone bright spot of an otherwise miserable Sunday afternoon at the Factory of Sadness.
Coach Sutherland addresses the reasons behind his decision earlier this evening on his Facebook page and had this to say.
I want to take a minute to explain my recent decision and to thank everyone that has been so great to me. 1st my decision to step down: this is something my brother and I have been discussing and thinking about for sometime. I absolutely loved coaching the fine young men of the Medina football program. I always gave 100% of myself to this program and to the players. As this next season approaches I found myself not willing or able to give that 100%-and that’s not fair to the …program or the kids. I can’t expect them to give 100% if
I can’t or I’m too tired to give my all. Also my brother and family are expecting our 1st baby in the family: the whole family is super excited! He informed me that he will not be coaching, as most of you know he is my best friend and a big part of why I coach. Being able to coach the sport I love with my best friend was such a thrill. Not having him by my side as my loyal assistant didn’t sound as much fun. Thirdly I’m exhausted, turning this program around took a lot out of me, more than I ever expected. I just need a break.
I have been truly amazed at the out poring of support from the community, parents, players, school, administration and former players that have reached out to me. It has been humbling, and touching. I always coached for the love of the game and working with kids to teach life lessons that this great game offered. I hope and pray that people look at my time as head coach and see what the goal was: to develop men of character, honor, discipline and above all else, people the community would be proud of.
Thank you all for a wonderful 5 years! Some of the best years of my life! Thank you for allowing me to be the head coach of an amazing school and community! I hope and pray I represented the program with passion, dignity, honor and the class that my family and parents have always tried to instill in me. I love you all and appreciate everything that was done for me. God Bless! Go Bees!
Thanks,
Dan Sutherland
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