Meyer to return as GHS football coach

Addressing an open football coaching position for the fourth time since 2010, the Greencastle School Board has chosen a familiar face to fill the roll.

Mike Meyer, who previously helmed the Tiger Cub football program from 2005 through 2009, will again serve as coach in the 2015 season, following his appointment at Monday's school board meeting.

In addition to his time as head coach, Meyer is a 1981 GHS graduate and a member of the faculty since 2005 as an English teacher. He also returned to the sidelines two seasons ago, serving as a GHS assistant.

The Greencastle native expressed his affection for the community and the school.

"I love this community, the students at Greencastle High School and coaching football. I graduated from GHS and I am a Tiger Cub to the core," Meyer said. "I know our football players. I trust them and I hope they trust me. If we work hard every day and trust in one another, we can build something special. I am excited to take on the added responsibility of serving as the head coach of the GHS football program."

Meyer compiled a 19-32 record in his first stint as head coach, highlighted by a 7-4 campaign in 2006. In the five years since, the Tiger Cubs have had three winning seasons, but coaching turnover became common.

Eric Davis went 6-6 in 2010, his only season at GHS. Josh Buis succeeded Davis and built a 26-6 record in three seasons. However, both lay coaches resigned, citing pursuits in their outside careers.

In hiring Ryan Spoonmore last spring, GHS returned to having a faculty member at the head of the football program. The board accepted Spoonmore's resignation as football and strength and conditioning coach on Monday.

Meyer also replaces Spoonmore strength and conditioning coach.

The athletic department appears to be addressing the turnover issues in hiring a veteran presence at GHS, both as a teacher and a coach.

"We could not be more pleased that Coach Meyer has accepted this new role in our program," Athletic Director Greg Hill said. "With Mike, you know what you are getting: loyalty, character, commitment, passion, a great teacher and a man who simply loves to coach football. We are in very good hands with Coach Meyer as our football head coach."

The entire Meyer family has a presence at GHS. Wife Brenda is a guidance assistant at GHS. Together they have five children: Mackenzie, a third-year pharmacy student at Ohio Northern and a GHS alumna; Maddie, a GHS senior; Mallary, a junior; Jacob, a freshmen; and Jordan, a seventh-grader at GMS.

Meyer has a rich history of football coaching on his resume, including assistant coach at Northview High School, defensive coordinator at Case Western Reserve University, head coach at Hiram College, assistant head coach at Ohio Northern University (NCAA playoffs three years), linebackers coach University of Pennsylvania and graduate assistant at Rice, DePauw and Temple.

The new coach will address the parents at the Greencastle Football Parents Club (GFPC) meeting on June 8 at 6:30 p.m. Conditioning and strength building is already under way as the Tiger Cubs prepare for the 2015 football season.

Meyer's appoinment as head coach was one of a number of personnel matters approved by the school board on Monday.

* The board made a number of other sports-related hires, including Matt Helmer as GMS head football coach, Matthew Plessinger as GMS assistant football coach and Thomas Hamilton and Lucas Morgan as volunteer GMS coaches.

Other extra-curricular moves included accepting the resignations of Cody Watson as boys' soccer coach at GHS and D. Ande Warren as GMS student council sponsor.

* Retiring teachers at year's end include Karen Hirt as fourth/fifth grade tacher at Tzouanakis, Veronice Bryant as ESL/Spanish teacher at multiple buildings and John Garner as science teacher at GHS.

Dan TeGrotenhuis and Allyson TeGrotenhuis, both retired teachers working in part-time capacities, resigned from their respective part-time positions as home school liaison and speech/language pathologist.

The board also accepted the resignations of Ginny Hinton as instructional assistant, Heather Powers as attendance secretary, Yvonne Carter as cafeteria assistant and Leonard Clark as head custodian at GHS.

* The board approved the hiring of Chelsea Stanley and Caitlin Russell as teachers at Tzouanakis; Meredith Bee as ED teacher at Ridpath and Deer Meadow; Sharla Arnold as K.I.D.S. Summer Program coordinator; Kathy Terry, Jessica Stockton and Hannah Mitchell as K.I.D.S. teachers; Brenda Green, Amy Lewis and Nicole Bartels as K.I.D.S. instructional assistants; Stephanie Hunter as summer 1:1 instructional assistant; Alexander Hubble as third shift custodian at McAnally; Janice Heavin as summer technology assistant; Marcia Simmerman as cafeteria assistant at GMS; Carol Clark, Martha Sutherlin, Brenda Green, Valerie Lenihan, Casey Rossok and Samantha Call as summer bus cleaners; Jenna Long and Marilyn Bakehorn as substitute teachers; Maria Srnka as substitute secretary and media specialist assistance at Ridpath; Virginia Kuchler as substitute cafeteria assistant; and Mackenzie Meyer and Katie Hedge as substitute secretaries at GHS.

* They also approved the transfer of Amy Howard from GMS to Tzouanakis and Jennifer Zigler from guidance counselor to director of guidance.