Staff report

BELOIT

West Branch will begin interviews for its head football coaching position to replace Bob Altenhof, who was not retained after the Warriors finished 1-9 this season.

Schools superintendent Dr. Scott Weingart said he hopes to have a candidate to take to the Board of Education at its regularly-scheduled Jan. 27 meeting.

“You never know exactly how these things will go, but the [interview] committee is committed to moving on this as quickly as possible to identify a new coach,” he said. “We are very encouraged by the number and quality of applicants.”

Weingart said he received 52 formal applications, but some applicants have withdrawn from consideration.

Among the candidates from the Mahoning Valley are Warren Harding assistant Marc Bjelac, Howland assistant and West Branch graduate Rod Greenamyer, former Lisbon head coach Jeremy McElroy, Lowellville assistant John Protopapa, Struthers assistant Brian Palmer and Youngstown Christian assistant Nick Wagner.

Also, West Branch assistant Greg Sharp and United offensive coordinator Bob Offenbecher (on the teaching staff at West Branch) have applied.

Here is the complete list of applicants:

Joe Bajornas, Canton GlenOak defensive coordinator

Wade Bartholomew, Logan Elm offensive coordinator

Marc Bjelac, Warren Harding assistant

Steven Bosel, North Lenoir (N.C.) assistant

Eric Brock, Newcomerstown head coach

Keith Burgess, Father Mercredi (Colo.) assistant

Jon Butchko, Marion Ridgedale head coach

Daniel Cairns, Sidney head coach

Kacy Carter, Mass. Jackson co-defensive coordinator

Timothy Carver, Willard assistant

Scott Chouinard, Kent Roosevelt offensive coordinator

David Close, Altavista (Va.) assistant

Michael Cramer, New Paris National Trail head coach

Edward Cybak, Green defense/special teams coordinator

Brian Dejonghe, Broadway (Va.) assistant

Bill Dennis, London head coach

Rocco Dobran, Marion assistant

James Easterling, Chippewa offensive coordinator

Charles Ellington, East Canton defensive coordinator

Kevin Finch, Greenon offensive coordinator

Greg Fowler, Obion Central (Tenn.) defensive coordinator

Josh Franke, Marion offensive coordinator

Larry Getts, Harding (Ind.) assistant

Christopher Gielink, Lakewood associate coach (DBs and TEs)

Walker Graher, Ashland University graduate assistant

Rodney Greenamyer, Howland assistant

Michael Hall, Massillon Perry offensive coordinator

Tom Hannan, North Olmsted assistant

Wesley David Hodge, Ursuline assistant

Joseph Hoelzle, Hopewell Loudon assistant

Ezra Kirk, Mount Vernon assistant

Thomas Leiecki, Collins Western Reserve offensive coordinator

Robert Manchester, Akron North defensive coordinator

Jeremy McElroy, Lisbon head coach

Mike McKenzie, Richmond Edison head coach

Van McWreath, Ashtabula Lakeside head coach

Anthony Naples, Lock Haven University defensive coordinator

Robert Offenbecher, United offensive coordinator

Brian Palmer, Struthers assistant

Scott Pavalko, Mentor Lake Catholic assistant

Thomas Phillips, Pickerington North head coach

John Protopapa, Lowellville assistant

Greg Sharp, West Branch assistant

John Tanksley, Green defensive coordinator

Jeremy Taylor, Riverview assistant

Nick Wagner, Youngstown Christian assistant

Sam Watson, Valley View assistant

Benjamin Wilhelm, Anna special teams coordinator

Ryan Wolf, Massillon Perry defensive coordinator