Orrville High parts ways with Zuercher as football coach
After four seasons Orrville High football coach Matt Zuercher was informed on Dec. 20 that his coaching contract was being nonrenewed.
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Orrville High School will have a new football coach next season, as on Dec. 20 Matt Zuercher was informed his contract was not being renewed.
In making the decision, the Orrville Board of Education disregarded a recommendation for renewal from Superintendent David Toth, Principal Andrew Brenner and Athletic Director Audrey Zuercher (no relation).
Zuercher compiled a 16-25 record as head coach over four seasons leading the Red Riders.
Although Zuercher readily acknowledges Orrville didn’t win as much as it should have, he believes the program accomplished all the other goals he set out to reach and has a bright future.
The Riders increased their participation numbers from the low 50s to 68 and 69, respectively, the last two seasons. After this season the Riders’ varsity was named academic All-Ohio and ranked 23rd in the state with a 3.6 GPA. Fifty-seven out of 68 players in the program had a 3.0 GPA or higher.
“We are proud of the work that we did to create winning habits and character that will lead to success off the field, in the classroom and on the field,” said Zuercher, 45, who’s a math teacher at the high school. “I am disappointed that the board doesn’t agree with the administration’s recommendations and has chosen to move in a different direction.
“As I shared with our players when I met with them today, it’s unfortunate that a loud minority makes the decision for the silent majority when strong leaders don’t step up.”
The Orrville board posted on its Final Forms on Dec. 20: “The Orrville City School District is embarking on a new path with its football program and is initiating the search for a new head football coach to guide our team into the future.”
Reached for comment, Orrville Board President Pat Lorson said, “What I’m going to tell you is just what the release says. We appreciate what (Zuercher) has done. He was committed and worked hard, but we just decided to go in a different direction.”
Lorson said it does not happen often when asked about a board of education going against the hiring recommendation of school administrators.
A member of the Wayne County Sports Hall of Fame, Zuercher was a football standout at Waynedale and played fullback for four years at Akron. He led his alma mater, Waynedale, to a 58-57 record from 2006-16, including four playoff appearances.
Zuercher was an assistant coach at Orrville for four years under Doug Davault and served as offensive coordinator for the Riders’ 2018 Division V state title team.
Orrville has had just five head football coaches since 1955, and Zuercher is the first to be nonrenewed. The other Riders’ grid bosses were Davault (95-72, 2006-20, 2018 Div. V state title), Bill McMillan (1988-2005, 131-73, 1998 Div. IV state title), Tipton (1965-87, 168-69-6) and Bill Shunkwiler (1955-64, 64-27-2).
Zuercher said he wasn’t given a reason for his dismissal, simply that he wouldn’t have had the necessary board votes to have his contract renewed. He was given an opportunity to resign but chose to stand up to what he calls a small minority who wanted him out.
Orrville went 4-6 the past two seasons, but Zuercher felt the 2024 team was truly committed and fought for all four quarters. Five of the losses were against teams that won at least one playoff game.
“I want to say thank you to the many people who have been supportive over the last four years as we have worked hard to build a culture of excellence, not only on the field, but in the classroom and community,” Zuercher said.
