Board of education approves Haas as new WHS football coach
Wooster High School has a new football coach.
During their Jan. 24 meeting, members of the Wooster City School District board of education officially approved the appointment of Doug Haas as the General’s new head football coach by a unanimous vote.
Introducing Haas to the board of education was Andy Kellar, Wooster High School athletic director.
According to Kellar, Haas “most recently comes from Cloverleaf High School and prior to that he was successful in taking two programs – Rittman and Triway – to the playoffs.”
Kellar noted that prior to his time in the high school coaching ranks, Haas coached at the collegiate level at The College of Wooster.
Kellar is enthusiastic about his new coach.
“I think he’s going to do a great job leading our program this year and our young men to be successful,” said Kellar. “I’m looking forward to the coming season and hopefully a successful summer of preparation for that season.”
Before turning the microphone over to the Generals’ new coach, Kellar presented Haas with a Beat Orrville T-shirt, saying with a smile, “no pressure.”
Wooster City School District Superintendent Dr. Michael Tefs noted that the initial candidate pool from which eight finalists, including Haas, were selected contained 50 applicants.
In addition to internal candidates and Wooster High School alumni Andy Nicholson, Pat Meenan and Mark Hart, the finalists included Smithville assistant coach Brent Besacon, Ashland assistant coach Chris Solis, Massillon assistant coach Luke Durbin and former NFL player and current West Mesquite, Texas assistant coach Tim Seder.
According to Tefs, Haas’ teaching duties are expected to center around his licensure in career based intervention, which is a career prep track for those students who will be launching their careers after graduation.
Though Haas’ exact teaching position will not be determined immediately, “we have several retirements that we’re anticipating that do happen to fit coach Haas’ certification and licensure area,” Tefs noted.
“Frankly, we hired a professional educator before we hired a football coach on this one,” said Tefs. “This young man is going to leave a very positive, lasting impression on many students.
“His record was absolutely phenomenal all the way across the board,” said Tefs.
“I can’t tell you how lucky I think we are to have found somebody who is going to impact kids on our faculty and at the same time be a terrific head football coach,” said Tefs. “I think we’ve got a great young man for our program.”
“I am thrilled to be here - very excited about it,” said Haas as he was presented with a blue and gold Wooster baseball cap by Kellar.
Haas takes over the Generals’ football program from Mike McCreary, who resigned in December of 2011 over a difference of opinion with Kellar as to the direction to take the program.
During his 13-year career as Wooster’s head football coach, McCreary’s teams compiled a 69-63 record, took home two Ohio Cardinal Conference titles and made two trips to the playoffs.
During their Jan. 24 meeting, members of the Wooster City School District board of education officially approved the appointment of Doug Haas as the General’s new head football coach by a unanimous vote.
Introducing Haas to the board of education was Andy Kellar, Wooster High School athletic director.
According to Kellar, Haas “most recently comes from Cloverleaf High School and prior to that he was successful in taking two programs – Rittman and Triway – to the playoffs.”
Kellar noted that prior to his time in the high school coaching ranks, Haas coached at the collegiate level at The College of Wooster.
Kellar is enthusiastic about his new coach.
“I think he’s going to do a great job leading our program this year and our young men to be successful,” said Kellar. “I’m looking forward to the coming season and hopefully a successful summer of preparation for that season.”
Before turning the microphone over to the Generals’ new coach, Kellar presented Haas with a Beat Orrville T-shirt, saying with a smile, “no pressure.”
Wooster City School District Superintendent Dr. Michael Tefs noted that the initial candidate pool from which eight finalists, including Haas, were selected contained 50 applicants.
In addition to internal candidates and Wooster High School alumni Andy Nicholson, Pat Meenan and Mark Hart, the finalists included Smithville assistant coach Brent Besacon, Ashland assistant coach Chris Solis, Massillon assistant coach Luke Durbin and former NFL player and current West Mesquite, Texas assistant coach Tim Seder.
According to Tefs, Haas’ teaching duties are expected to center around his licensure in career based intervention, which is a career prep track for those students who will be launching their careers after graduation.
Though Haas’ exact teaching position will not be determined immediately, “we have several retirements that we’re anticipating that do happen to fit coach Haas’ certification and licensure area,” Tefs noted.
“Frankly, we hired a professional educator before we hired a football coach on this one,” said Tefs. “This young man is going to leave a very positive, lasting impression on many students.
“His record was absolutely phenomenal all the way across the board,” said Tefs.
“I can’t tell you how lucky I think we are to have found somebody who is going to impact kids on our faculty and at the same time be a terrific head football coach,” said Tefs. “I think we’ve got a great young man for our program.”
“I am thrilled to be here - very excited about it,” said Haas as he was presented with a blue and gold Wooster baseball cap by Kellar.
Haas takes over the Generals’ football program from Mike McCreary, who resigned in December of 2011 over a difference of opinion with Kellar as to the direction to take the program.
During his 13-year career as Wooster’s head football coach, McCreary’s teams compiled a 69-63 record, took home two Ohio Cardinal Conference titles and made two trips to the playoffs.
Published: January 31, 2012
