WH alum Keaton Leppla named head football coach at West Holmes

West Holmes has selected Keaton Leppla to be its next head football coach.

Leppla, a 2013 West Holmes graduate, served as associate head coach/defensive coordinator at Wooster High for the past three seasons. He served as linebacker/running back coach at Danville High from 2017-19, helping the 2017 team reach the state semifinals.

"With an impressive background in coaching and a commitment to student-athlete development, coach Leppla brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to our football program," the West Holmes Athletic Department said in a press release. "... As the new head football coach, coach Leppla will oversee all aspects of the football program. His leadership promises to inspire athletes, unite supporters and foster a culture of excellence and community engagement."

Leppla played football collegiately at Ohio Wesleyan University, where he started 33 games at linebacker. He was a team captain as a senior.

Leppla earned All-Ohio Cardinal Conference first-team honors three times during his high school career at West Holmes. He was named to the All-Ohio special mention team as a senior. He was also a team captain as a senior, helping lead the 2012 team to the regional finals.

Leppla will take over for Zach Gardner, who resigned on Jan. 5. In Gardner's seven seasons at the helm, West Holmes compiled a 58-25 record, including an 11-5 mark in playoff games. The Knights reached the regional semifinals the past four seasons, including the program's first state semifinals berth in 2021.