Family matters: Brungard resigns at Poland

November 12, 2015 at 12:08a.m.

Coach wants to be

closer to his kids

POLAND

All throughout his coaching career, Mark Brungard has stressed the importance of family values while attempting to create a family atmosphere within the Poland High football program.

With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that Brungard’s decision to walk away from the program he loves was a decision based on his own family.

Brungard on Wednesday announced that he officially tendered his resignation as Poland’s head football coach.

Brungard just completed his 11th season as the Bulldogs’ coach. His teams 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. Brungard was a coach in the Poland system for nine years before assuming the top role.

“This decision simply came down to my desire to take a larger role as a dad,” Brungard said. “I have loved every minute of the time I’ve spent with my players and coaches, who I view as an extended family. But my children are at an age where I want to be involved and be a part of their activities.”

Brungard is the father of four children, ages 15, 13, 12 and 8. His oldest son is a freshman at Springfield High and will be part of the Springfield varsity football team next year.

“I’m looking forward to just being a dad, just being a fan,” said Brungard, who played quarterback at Youngstown State and helped the Penguins win Division I-AA national titles in 1993 and ’94.

Poland athletic director Brian Banfield said that Brungard’s influence and his impact was felt far beyond the gridiron.

“Mark is a complete class act, and his dedication to the students is remarkable,” Banfield said. “His top priority with every player he’s ever coached is to develop that young man into an upstanding citizen and a strong student. He uses football as a teaching tool, but his top priority has never revolved around wins and losses.”

From a football standpoint, Banfield said that Brungard’s resume is unmatched.

“Nine consecutive playoff appearances for a closed, public school is quite remarkable,” Banfield said. “Maybe the biggest compliment is the fact that this year’s roster was 68 strong, one of the highest numbers we’ve ever had. Kids want to play for Mark. They want to learn from him. That says more than a 9-2 record.”

Luke Wollet is a 2010 Poland graduate who went on to play at Kent State, where he earned All-MAC honors three consecutive years. In 2013 Wollet was a team captain and led the Flashes with 78 tackles.

Wollet referred to Brungard’s football knowledge as “off the charts” and said that Brungard “is everything you could possibly hope a high school coach to be and then some.” Like Banfield, Wollet said that Brungard’s influence was felt far beyond the gridiron.

“What I most remember about Coach was a time going into my senior season when I was down about a few things, and he noticed right away that something was wrong,” Wollet said. “I remember opening up to him, crying in front of him. And I just remember the great conversations which followed that had nothing to do with football.”

“Coach Brungard has helped so many Poland athletes in so many ways over the years. His goal was always to turn boys into men. He truly is Mr. Poland.”

While Brungard is walking away from the Bulldogs, he is not walking away from coaching. Rumors have already surfaced that he would join the Springfield staff as an assistant.

“I love the game, I love to coach,” Brungard said. “I’m definitely not calling it a career. I’ll always leave the door open. I definitely do not consider this a retirement from coaching.

“Regarding Springfield, I’ve not even discussed the issue with [Springfield coach] Sean Guerriero.”

Banfield said the search for a new coach would begin immediately after Brungard’s resignation is accepted by the Poland board of education at its Nov. 23 meeting.

“We’d obviously like to have a successor in place as soon as possible, but at the same time we’re going to do our due diligence and follow the process as instructed in our collective bargaining agreement,” Banfield said.

Brungard said that he prefers “not to get in into the politics of choosing the next coach,” but noted that he believes there are a number of quality, capable individuals on the current staff. “I inherited a good program, I walked into a great situation,” Brungard said. “I trust that whoever takes over will keep the Poland tradition alive.”