The CH-UH City School District, with the help of a volunteer search committee, has selected Mac Stephens as the new head football coach.
A former NFL player, Stephens brings 12 years of experience coaching high school football. Most recently, Stephens served as the defensive line/outside linebacker coach for Euclid High School from 2008 to 2014. He has also been the defensive line/defensive coordinator for Glenville High School from 2006-2007, linebacker coach for Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School in 2005, assistant offensive line coach for Euclid High School in 2004, and head coach of Lutheran High School East in 2003.
Presently, Stephens serves as the director of recreation for the city of Euclid; he’s held the position since 2004. Stephens is currently president of North Coast Youth Football Conference. He also coaches Amateur Athletic Union track and basketball at the middle school level.
“Mr. Stephens exemplifies all of the characteristics and qualifications we sought when we began our search for a coach: he has many years of leadership and managerial experience, he is passionate about mentoring players both on and off the field, and most importantly, he knows the game and is ready to take our team to the next level,” said Kristin Hughes, Athletic Director.
Stephens began playing football at eight years old, and continued to play at the NFL level. He was drafted but eventually cut by the New England Patriots. He went on to play one year with the New York Jets and then one year with the Minnesota Vikings. He is a graduate of Firestone High School in Akron.
“Since the time I was a young child, football has been an extremely important part of my life, so accepting the head coach position at this District is a dream come true,” said Stephens. “I look forward to leading this team to new heights and serving young people like so many coaches did for me as a young man.”
There were 51 total applicants for the position, which was posted for three weeks immediately after the District accepted the resignation of former coach Jeff Rotsky on January 6. The interview team included: Kristin Hughes, Director of Athletics; a principal representative; a CHHS teacher representative; a male sport head coach representative; a female sport head coach representative; a PTA representative; a Football Booster Club representative; a community member who is a former State Champion Head Coach; a community member who is a former NFL player; and a Heights Youth Football representative.