By Matthew Peaslee

mpeaslee@vindy.com

Jeff Bayuk’s history of turning high school programs in the winning direction looks to continue at Warren Harding. After two years as an assistant at Howland, he is leaving to become the Raiders’ offensive coordinator.

Officially, Bayuk has yet to be hired by Warren City Schools, but he informed Howland coach Dick Angle that he would not be returning to his staff in early November. That was before Steve Arnold was hired as the new head football coach at Harding. It was Arnold, though, that had a big impact on swaying Bayuk to Harding.

“I sat down and had a really nice, long talk with Steve,” Bayuk said Monday. “He was very sincere in his goal-oriented approach to turn things around [at Harding]. I was impressed with the plan he laid out.”

Bayuk’s 26-year coaching career began at Ursuline as Angle’s defensive coordinator. Five years later, Bayuk became Canfield’s head coach and later led teams at Hubbard and Campbell. Bayuk, who is 155-94 as a head coach, took the 2010 season off before joining Angle’s staff last fall.

“We have a great amount of respect for each other,” Bayuk said of Angle, who coached him in high school at Kennedy Catholic. “He gave me the opportunity to come to a championship staff. If it was not for him, I might not have the opportunity to take on this next challenge.”

Rob Greenamyer and Bob Toth, both assistants with Bayuk at Howland, are also going to Harding, according to a report on WFMJ-TV.

Shaner to Niles

Pending board approval, former East coach Brian Shaner will be the next head coach at Niles.

Shaner, who went 44-46 in nine years at East and Rayen, will replace Brad Yeager, who went 14-26 in four seasons. Shaner did not respond to a message seeking comment.