MINERVA One year removed from a perfect season — and three months from a tough season — Dale Soles has had enough as Minerva High School’s football coach. Soles resigned as the Lions head coach Monday night and now the district will hire its third coach in four years.
Soles, a veteran assistant coach at the time, took over before the 2011 season when Brett Yeagley left for an administrative job at Marlington High School. Minerva then went 10-0, won the school’s first playoff game and finished 11-1.
However, the Lions went just 3-7 last fall during an injury-plagued season.
According to Soles’ resignation letter, he resigned for a personal reason “that needed his undivided attention at this time.”
Athletic Director Don Spinell said the resignation was a surprise.
“It did catch us by surprise. We had supported Dale for these two years and he had a great run that first year,” Spinell said. “Dale stepped up to the plate to take the head coaching position. I know he surprised many of us by running the table and going 11-0 before being defeated by Dover. It was the most wins in school history.”
Spinell was asked if Soles’ resignation was forced.
“Absolutely not,” Spinell said. “Many coaches would say they want to spend time with their family. Dale wanted to step away and take some time for Dale. As you know, being a head football coach in Stark County is a brutal position. It’s year-round and occupies a lot of time. Dale teaches a full day of classes and the thing about Dale, he is a teacher first.”
Soles declined to comment on the decision. That is not unusual. While Soles was accommodating with the media, he never seemed comfortable.
Meanwhile, Minerva will begin the process of finding a new head coach. Spinell said the position, by union contract, is posted internally now.
“We’re going to do both processes,” Spinell said. “It’s already posted within (the district). Maybe someone surprises us and wants to make a run at it. No one has come forward yet. We will go through both processes and see what comes out of it.”
A search committee is in the process of being formed.
Since 1999, Yeagley was the only coach to stay more than three years. The new coach will be the fifth since then.
Spinell said head coaching experience is important, but not mandatory.
“If there’s a dynamic assistant out there, you have to take a strong look at them,” Spinell said. “What you always look for is that assistant coach who works hard and is an up-and-comer and wants to be a head coach.”
Until the search committee is complete, Spinell said there is no hard date to have a new coach in place.
