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WGH hires Arnold for FB
By Greg Gulas
WARREN
Hoping to kick-start a football program that in recent years has fallen on hard times, the Warren Board of Education turned to one of its own Tuesday, banking on the success their alum has had with its boys basketball program.
Steve Arnold, a 1982 Warren G. Harding graduate whose name the past nine seasons has been synonymous with Raiders hoop success, now faces the monumental task of turning around its once glorious football fortunes.
The timetable and sense of urgency doesn’t bother Arnold.
“I’m a Warren guy who cares about Warren kids,” Arnold said. “I knew coming into this basketball season that it was going to be my last and while I have had opportunities to move onto the college ranks the past several seasons, I’ve always stayed put and just wanted to be part of this community and school system.
“First and foremost, I want to thank the Board of Education and selection committee for affording me the opportunity to lead this program in a new direction,” Arnold said.
Arnold heads into this basketball season with a 170-40 (.809) overall mark, having led his team to two district championships, one regional title and a state Final Four appearance.
A 2009 Associated Press “Coach of the Year,” two-time NEO “Coach of the Year” honoree and seven-time Trumbull County “Coach of the Year“ selection, Arnold has helped 22 of his players obtain college scholarships.
Academic success remains paramount to the success that he hopes to achieve on the football field.
“We’ll start immediately with study table three days a week and use that as accountability for our athletes,“ Arnold said. As I assemble a staff, it will give the kids the opportunity to get to know the staff and vice versa.
“I’m a no frills type of coach; a stern disciplinarian who stresses fundamentals. It’s all about blocking and tackling and putting together a staff that believes in your system,” Arnold said.
Arnold is no stranger to the gridiron, serving as starting safety and backup quarterback during his scholastic career.
He was also an assistant football coach from 1988-2000, last serving as receivers coach and recruiting coordinator in 2000 where he helped assist 20 Raiders in obtaining college scholarships.
Despite leaning toward accepting the open football position, it was former Raiders coaches Gary Barber and Thom McDaniels who helped solidify his decision.
“Even though I was the basketball coach, I never really strayed too far from football,” Arnold said. L”ast week, I talked to both coach [Thom] McDaniels and Coach [Gary] Barber, two coaches that I both admire and respect and they told me that Warren needs me at this point.
“It will be a challenge and a difficult one at that, but I am ready to tackle it head on and cannot wait to get started,” Arnold stated.
Paul Trina, Warren Harding director of athletics, felt that Arnold was the right choice at the right time.
“Steve [Arnold] would not have accepted the job unless he felt he could be successful in both sports.
“He understands this job, was an assistant under Phil Annarella and Gary Barber and has always surrounded himself with good people.
“I would never make a recommendation that would take this program in the wrong direction,” Trina said.
Board member Robert L. Faulkner, Sr. said, “When he started his ‘Teamed for Success Mentorship Program’ back in 2000, I just felt that he was a coach who would be going places.
“He’s more than athletics; it’s the positive impact that he has had in both the community and with the parents of his athletes that makes him a real success,” Faulkner said.
“On behalf of the faculty and staff, I’d like to welcome Steve as our new football coach,” said Dr. Bruce W. Thomas, Warren superintendent. “I am excited about this selection and the potential that this represents, however, I’d like everyone to be as excited about a new physics or algebra teacher that we hire as well.
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