Looking for the right coach to jump-start a high school football program is not easy.
But Sandy Valley Athletic Directly Mickey Keck is not hiding his enthusiasm over the prospects of Zach Gardner leading the Cardinals.
“We’re just really excited to get him rolling here,” Keck said this morning. “... I think he can turn this thing around for us. I think his enthusiasm, his passion ... we’re hoping all that rubs off on the kids.”
The Sandy Valley Local Schools Board of Education will hold a special meeting Tuesday where Gardner will be recommended for a one-year supplemental contract as the head coach. Sandy Valley received 40 applications for the job, and interviewed 14 candidates initially before trimming that group to five for a second interview.
“The thing that jumped out at me was his passion for teaching, as well as coaching football,” Keck said. “He just has this passion for kids and love for football.”
Gardner replaces John Groff, who retired after five seasons as the head coach.
The Cardinals went 4-6 this past season. Groff inherited a 1-9 team, and he never won fewer than three games. His 2009 team went 5-5, but the Cardinals have not enjoyed a winning season since 2002. They also have never qualified for the state playoffs.
Gardner was the defensive coordinator at Indian Valley the last three years and spent seven years overall as an assistant coach and social studies teacher there. He helped the Braves put together three straight winning seasons, including trips to the playoffs the last two years.
“He was really instrumental in helping turn things around at Indian Valley,” Keck said.
Sandy Valley, coincidentally, opens the 2013 season against Indian Valley.
Gardner graduated from Kent State in 2006.
“He’s a relatively young guy,” Keck said. “We’re really excited. He played high school ball at Dover for Dan Ifft, was a three-year letterman and second team All-Ohio in 2000 as a linebacker.
“This guy is a football junkie. That’s what I call him.”
That was confirmed for Keck after he told Gardner last Friday that he was the pick for the job. Gardner was at the state football clinic in Columbus with Indian Valley head coach Matt Lancaster.
“He was ready the minute we told him,” Keck said.
“He’s already watching tape. I am exited, really excited for him. And I think our community will be, too, once they get to meet him and know him.”
