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Poland replaces Brungard with defensive coordinator
Board promotes Ryan Williams
By Steve Ruman
POLAND
In 2005, Ryan Williams walked away from a coaching and teaching position in Austintown in order to assume a role as a permanent substitute in the Poland School District. It was a risky move, but one in which Williams referred to as “a leap of faith.”
On Monday, the Poland School District showed its faith in Williams, hiring him to take over the Poland High football program. Williams’ recommendation, made by Poland athletic director Brian Banfield and a six-man search committee, was approved by the board of education.
Williams, now an American history teacher at Poland Middle School, replaces Mark Brungard, who resigned in November. Brungard recently completed his 11th season as the Bulldogs coach. He compiled an 88-37 record, highlighted by nine consecutive trips to the playoffs and four league titles. This past season, the Bulldogs went 9-2, losing in the first round of the playoffs to Louisville.
A Boardman High graduate who played for the Spartans under Bill Bohren, Williams has served as the Bulldogs’ defensive coordinator for the past 11 years.
He previously coached under Paul Hulea at Crestview (1992-94) and Poland (1996-1997). He also coached at Cardinal Mooney in 1995 with Don Bucci, and served under a trio of coaches from 1999-2004 while at Fitch.
Williams has lived in Poland since 1993. His wife, Alicia, also teaches in Poland at Dobbins Elementary School.
“This is my home, this is where my heart is, so in that sense this is a dream come true,” Williams said. “The opportunity to take over a program that means so much to me is an opportunity that I cherish. It’s also something that comes with a great deal of responsibility.”
“Mark and all of the players and coaches put in a great deal of time and effort to make this program what it is,” Williams said. “I consider it both a huge honor and a huge commitment to carry on the tradition.”
Williams and Brungard first coached together when they were both assistants at Poland in 1996. Williams said that at the time, the two made “an unofficial pact” to reunite should either one ever become a head coach.
Brungard took over the Poland program in 2005. At the time, Williams was content with his coaching and teaching job in Austintown. Still, he eagerly answered the call when Brungard offered him a spot on the Bulldogs’ staff.
“I know the community, I know the families, and I knew that Poland was where I wanted to be long-term,” Williams said. “I took a chance of leaving what I had, but it couldn’t have worked out any better.”
Though Williams will be a rookie head coach, he said he believes his mentors have prepared him to handle the job.
“I’ve been very lucky in that I’ve played for the great Bill Bohren, and I’ve coached for some of the greats,” Williams said. “From Don’s [Bucci] attention to detail to Carl’s [Pelini] passion to Mark’s [Brungard] integrity, I have stolen ideas and concepts from every coach I’ve ever been around, and I plan to put it to good use.”
Williams was chosen from three applicants, all from within the Poland school system. Assistant coaches Brian Jones and Rick DiNunzio also applied for the position.
Banfield said that the search committee felt that Williams’ experience and his 11-year commitment to the program made him the right choice.
“We went through three rounds of interviews, and Ryan just kept impressing us more and more each time with his knowledge and with his passion for football,” Banfield said. “We’re excited that we had someone this capable and experienced right in our district.”
“Our goal was to maintain continuity with the staff. We would have looked elsewhere if we thought it was the best thing for our program, but the fact that we had Ryan right here made it a pretty easy choice.”
Williams will be just the third Poland coach in the past 21 years. Prior to Brungard’s 11-year stint, Hulea coached for nine years, winning a state title in 1999.
“There is great continuity and tradition within the program,” Williams said. “That’s a tribute to the families here, who expect their children to succeed in everything, whether it’s music, the arts, spelling or sports.”
“The Poland families, they create the success. I’m just here to help with the process.”
Two other Mahoning Valley schools are still in the process of filling their vacancies.
Lowellville is expected to name P.J. Mays as its next coach when the board of education meets on Wednesday. Mays recently resigned at East, where he was the head coach for three years.
Lowellville athletic director Brian Fedyski confirmed that he has recommended Mays’ hiring.
In November, Jeff D’Altorio resigned as the Rockets’ coach following a five-year stint.
Last week, the Youngstown school board tabled a recommendation of hiring Panthers assistant coach Jerron Jenkins to replace Mays.
Monday, Stephen Stohla, Youngstown City Schools interim superintendent, said he expects that the board of education will revisit the recommendation at its Dec. 22 meeting.