43
New Struthers coach melds family, football
STRUTHERS
The big screen television in Curt Kuntz’s basement was originally bought for watching football.
Instead, a new program has taken precedent — Dora the Explorer.
“I still have my little TV put to the side so I can watch games,” Kuntz said laughing as he was playing with his daughters Ava, 4, and Halle, 2.
They’re the ones that have taken reign over the basement and, even with his new position as Struthers head football coach, Kuntz’s life.
“My family understands the sacrifices and time put into being a coach,” he said. “You have to involve your family in a program to be successful, really. [Family] is without a doubt the most important thing.”
That’s part of the reason why he’s adapted to the Struthers’ way of life so quickly.
“It’s a pack your lunch and go to work type of town,” Kuntz said. “It’s not about everybody else taking care of you, it’s about what you do for yourself.
“Struthers just has so much pride in being a family, being a community and pride in its football team.”
Kuntz comes from a close-knit town, himself. He’s from Morgan County — known for being the only county in the state with just one high school.
“I then went up to Kent,” he says, “and realized the football wasn’t even close to being on the same level I was used to.”
It didn’t stop him from getting a coaching job at Kent Roosevelt under John Nemec. He spent some time around the Kent State football program and forged a relationship with Thom McDaniels. When McDaniels was named head coach at Warren Harding in 2000, Kuntz followed along as an assistant.
He was with the Raiders until 2005 and remained in the Valley at Howland, where he was an assistant under Dick Angle. For the past three seasons, he’s been an assistant at Poland.
“I’ve had the opportunity to learn from the best with three hall of fame coaches in Nemec, McDaniels and Angle,” Kuntz said. “Mark Brungard at Poland was great to work with, too. They’ve all had different qualities that have helped shape me as a coach and every stop was a great, unique experience.”
Kuntz met with the Wildcats before Christmas break and since school started in the new year they’ve been hitting the weight room three times a week.
“The turnout has been great,” he said. “Many kids are involved with other sports, but their commitment is unbelievable. They’re ready for stability and they’re on board to be successful.”
Struthers was 5-5 last year in Mark Asher’s first season. Asher resigned after the season.
Kuntz teaches at Howland and his wife Jaclyn is a teacher with Warren City Schools. She is also a former track and cross country coach at LaBrae.