It seems safe to suggest that no one exemplifies Columbiana County football better than Bob Spaite.

Now in his 15th season as the head coach of the Columbiana Clippers, Spaite’s football career began when he was a student at neighboring Crestview High. Following graduation, he attended Mount Union College, then Youngstown State University.

Spaite’s coaching career began as an assistant for two years at Canton GlenOak High, followed by a five-year stint at Alliance. He then returned to Columbiana County, where he landed his first head coaching job at Southern Local.

In 1994, after five years with the Indians, Spaite took over the Columbiana program. As the Clippers’ coach, he owns a record of 110-51. He has guided his teams to six playoff appearances, and his current squad is 6-2 and ranked seventh in the Division VI, Region 21 computer rankings.

In addition to his duties on the football field, Spaite is a social studies teacher at Columbiana, and he serves as the school’s athletic director.

Spaite and his wife Carla have been married 35 years.

Q. Two months ago, did you believe you were coaching a playoff-caliber team?

A. “During the first day of full contact practice this summer, I was physically ill. I remember sitting there telling my coaches, ‘My gosh, we’re not going to win a single game this year.’ It was one of the most pathetic practices I had ever been a part of. We had some major holes to fill, but time and time again our guys have stepped up and they have played way beyond our expectations. I always use a quote from Jim Tressel where he suggests that you have to play better than you are. Well, I had a player tell me this week, ‘Coach, I don’t know who is out there playing my position, but I don’t think it’s me.’ ”

Q. Columbiana seems to have an extraordinary number of rivals. Why is that?

A. “For whatever reason, we’re one of those communities that everyone loves to hate. People outside of here will tell me that Columbiana is full of rich snobs. I’ll tell them to name one family that fits that description, and they can’t do it because in reality this community is full of great people. It’s funny because when I went to Crestview I felt the same way. I just didn’t like Columbiana, even though I couldn’t name a single person who gave me a reason to feel that way.”

Q. What is the secret to a lifetime coach enjoying a successful marriage?

A. “He has to be married to a person who is destined for sainthood. It takes a special person to put up with idiots like me during football season. My wife has always been supportive of what I do. Let’s face it, in the grand scheme of things football isn’t that important, but she makes it an important part of her life because of me.”

Q. Since arriving at Columbiana, have you ever had the desire to coach elsewhere?

A. “I have looked at a few opportunities that came my way such as Warren G. Harding and Massillon, but it always came back to me knowing that I have a good thing here. We’ve found a home in Columbiana. We love the community and the school, and in the end I just can’t find a good enough reason to leave.”

Q: What are your thoughts on the current playoff system, where possible first-round games could pit Ursuline against South Range?

A: “It’s the biggest crock of horse hockey I can think of, and it disgusts me that the OHSAA allows it to happen. In fact, if Mooney and Ursuline don’t win state titles this year, there should be an investigation. I have nothing against these coaches. They are fine and honorable men, and a lot of these guys I consider friends. But the fact that Ursuline is in Division V is horse manure. When I first began coaching, we played against Canton Central Catholic, and we were going against players who went through the Catholic feeder system their whole lives. Things are insanely different today. Let’s put it this way. South Range is one of the best D-5 programs in the state and Coach [Dan] Yeagley is one of the best coaches, regardless of division. If he were to schedule Massillon, Harding, Mooney and St. V’s, he’d be dragged to the center of town, and then he would be tarred and feathered.”

XInterview by Vindicator correspondent Steve Ruman.