The Observation Deck

Today St. Edward football coach Rick Finotti resigned to become Director of Football Operations at the University of Michigan.

He coached the Eagles for six years, and during that time won the school's only two state titles (2010 and 2014). His record was 62-15 during his tenure.

My commentary: Smart move by him. The St. Ed job is a very thankless gig....I've heard that he had been looking for other jobs in previous years.
"Director of Operations" is not a glamorous position, but it's hard to turn down a chance to work with either of the Harbaughs.

Side Effects: This might help Michigan's local recruiting. It also makes Ranger coach Mike Ribar the "Dean of Lakewood Coaches" after only one season.

In the larger scheme Lakewood, albeit St. Ed's, could be viewed as a launching pad for career advancement in this athletic area

Stan Austin wrote:In the larger scheme Lakewood, albeit St. Ed's, could be viewed as a launching pad for career advancement in this athletic area

Well said Stan, you have always been a tremendous athletic supporter.

Corey

Stan Austin wrote:In the larger scheme Lakewood, albeit St. Ed's, could be viewed as a launching pad for career advancement in this athletic area

Finotti is the first St. Ed football coach in my memory to move onto a "higher level" job.
The others have either retired or made lateral moves to other high schools.

I think "The Gerry Faust Experiment" (old timers will remember this reference) discouraged Division I colleges from ever hiring Ohio high school coaches again.

On the hoops side, our old pal Eric Flannery will be there for a very long time.

Fun facts: St. Ed hired Finotti at the same time the Browns hired Eric Mangini. The Browns have had four different head coaches during Finotti's six year term.

On the other hand, Finotti is the sixth coach to leave St. Ed since 1983, the year that Chuck Kyle became head coach at St. Ignatius.