Bayuk adds role as AD at Warren JFK

May 13, 2017 at 12:07a.m.

For just the third time in its 53-year history, the Warren John F. Kennedy High athletic department has a new leader.

Kennedy school officials on Wednesday announced the hiring of Jeff Bayuk as the school’s new athletic director. Bayuk, who also serves as the JFK football coach, replaces John Gillen, who died last month.

Gillen had served as the school’s AD since 1972.

“I am excited to have an opportunity to continue the tradition of athletic excellence at Kennedy and look forward to continuing to move our school in a positive direction,” Bayuk said. “I pray that I have the grace and compassion of my predecessor, Mr. John Gillen, when working with and teaching student-athletes.

“There will never, ever be another John Gillen. I just hope and pray that I can continue his goal and his passion of bringing out excellence in Kennedy athletes.”

Bayuk was an English instructor at Ursuline and Canfield High Schools and a long-time English and Career Based Intervention teacher at Hubbard High School. He has coached high school football for 36 years — including 27 years as a head coach. He ran programs at Canfield, Hubbard and Campbell Memorial before taking over the Kennedy program in 2014.

Last fall, Bayuk led the Eagles to a Division VII state championship.

“I never sought out this position, but things happened and it was a right fit,” Bayuk said. “I love the Kennedy community. I feel at home here, and I feel like I have an opportunity to contribute in a positive way.”

In addition to his decades of service to football, Bayuk has also coached baseball, basketball and wrestling. He has worked with student-athletes at both the high school and junior high level.

“I want to be able to contribute to all of our athletic programs in a positive manner,” Bayuk said. “We have some pretty solid programs at Kennedy. We also have a few that need a shot in the arm. The thing is, all the sports programs, all the student-athletes deserve equal attention. We want to bring out the best in each program.”

Bayuk said that developing and maintaining strong relationships with area schools was always a top priority under Gillen and he will continue to focus on that in the future. Bayuk noted he has also already started compiling a list of goals, which include improving the JFK athletic facilities.

“There’s a lot of work we can do to make things better for our kids,” Bayuk said. “The locker room needs a lot of work, our fields can be in better shape than they are. Some things as simple as changing signs, cleaning things up to make it easy on the eyes. I just want to present a nice atmosphere, a positive surrounding.”

Kennedy President Joseph Kenneally said that he was “thrilled and very grateful” that Bayuk accepted the position, and believes Bayuk is the right man to handle a transition which was 45 years in the making.

“You can never replace a John Gillen, and Jeff will be the first to say that,” Kenneally said. “But Jeff’s experience and his strong relationships with area coaches and athletic directors will help us move forward. Jeff is extremely personable. He is very well-liked and highly respected within the athletic community.”

Ironically, Bayuk accepts the added role at Kennedy just months after rumors were swirling that he was going to step down as football coach.

“I heard those rumors all winter long, and I just shook my head and laughed,” Bayuk said. “The thought never crossed my mind. I was coming back as football coach regardless of how last season played out.

“I’m retired [as a teacher] and I have the time. I love working with kids. To me, this is fun.”