Former Niles coach:

‘Time for a change’

By Steve Ruman

sports@vindy.com

NILES

Halloween is proving to be a tricky day for the Niles High football program.

On Oct. 31, 2011, Brad Yeager announced his resignation as the Red Dragons’ football coach.

On Tuesday, exactly six years to the date of Yeager’s departure, the Red Dragons again found themselves in search of a head coach.

Brian Shaner on Tuesday informed Niles players that his six-year tenure with the Dragons has come to an end. Shaner’s announcement came one day after meeting with Niles City Schools superintendent Ann Marie Thigpen and athletic director Marc Fritz.

“I don’t like to use the word resign, I think that’s just a fancy word for quit,” Shaner said. “I think it’s best to say that we came to a mutual understanding that it was time for a change.”

Shaner’s departure comes just four days after Niles completed a 2-8 season. The Red Dragons opened with eight straight losses, but won back-to-back games to end the campaign.

Shaner’s six-year stint ends with a 24-37 record. His first year at Niles in 2012 included an 8-3 season, and a trip to the playoffs — just the fourth postseason appearance in school history.

Shaner previously served as the head coach in Youngstown at The Rayen School and East for nine years.

“Niles is a great place to coach,” Shaner said. “Great kids, phenomenal facilities and a great fan base. With what the R.E.I.N Committee did in recent years in terms of installing turf and giving the stadium a face lift, the facilities are second to none.”

“I had a fun ride. I wish it would have lasted longer. The upcoming class is a special group of kids It’s going to be tough seeing them in school every day, and not coaching them.”

Shaner serves as a social studies teacher at the high school level.

Aside from the playoff season, Shaner said that his Niles coaching highlights include the 2013 season in which the Red Dragons broke virtually every school passing and scoring record, and set numerous Trumbull County individual and team records.

“We came up a little short at 5-5, and that was a disappointment,” Shaner said. “But it was like watching video games. We had some very special skilled players.

“We’ve since run into a tough stretch. It’s cyclical, just like it is in a lot of smaller schools.”

Shaner said that he is especially proud of the relationships he developed with players over the years.

“So many still text, call, keep in touch,” Shaner said. “It’s a pat on the back when these young men reach out and remain a part of your life.

“When you see so many of these former players evolve into grown men who are a productive part of society, that’s what this is all about.”

Shaner vows that his coaching days are long from over.

“I’m not done, I still very much have the fire and want to be on the sidelines,” Shaner said. “Sometimes change is good, sometimes consistency is good. I guess now was the right time for a change.”