Bellevue's Ed Nasonti inducted into coaches hall of fame

Ed Nasonti makes no secret about his high regard for the sport of football. He's been good to the game and the game has reciprocated. On Friday night, Bellevue's longtime coach was inducted into the Ohio High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame. "I don't hunt, golf, bowl or fish," he said. "This is what floats my boat and I'm passionate about it. "In my family nothing is ever scheduled in August, September, October or November, and the other eight months are scheduled around the weight room." Nasonti was cheered on at the Easton Hilton by about 40 supporters from Bellevue, as well as his wife Cathy and daughters, Sandy and Kelli. Nasonti had five minutes for his speech and touched upon some of the relationships he's built in football. "Everyone wants to win, but it's the relationships you make with coaches and players that mean the most," he said. "The administration has been great and the community still supports football. The kids still buy in and we have that lunch-pail work ethic." Nasonti chose Bellevue assistant coach Tommy Mygrant to introduce him at the event. "I felt like Tommy knows me as well as anyone," Nasonti said. "I've known him since he was 13 years old. He played on my first three teams and was a captain on a 10-0 team. "He exemplifies the program and understands the vision of our program." Nasonti has compiled a 246-97 record in 31 years as Bellevue's head coach. The Redmen have won 14 conference titles under Nasonti and have made 18 playoff appearances, highlighted by a trip to the state finals in 2012. Nasonti, who was inducted into the Bellevue High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2004, was a standout football, basketball and baseball player at Bellevue. He went on to play football at the University of Toledo before returning to his hometown. Nasonti also coached Bellevue's baseball team for 10 years and led the Redmen to a state championship in 1985. Bellevue has had just three head football coaches since 1952, with Nasonti following Lowell Schaffer (1952-74) and Terry Adams (1975-90). He played for both of those coaches and has built on the stability they brought to the program. "I've been really fortunate to coach football at my alma mater. I never wanted to be anywhere else. I wanted to be loyal to the school and community. At the end of the day, coaching is a service position." Also inducted into the OHSFCA hall of fame were Jeff Durbin (Lake), Joe Yost (Akron Ellet), Curt Clifford (Portsmouth), Bob Ramsay (Dalton) and Sam Fornsaglio (Cadiz). Nasonti was the only active coach in the 2022 class. He said all of them encouraged him to keep coaching. "Sam Fornsaglio is 78," Nasonti said. "He said, 'I live on a beach in Florida and there are golf courses everywhere. But there's nothing close to running out on the field on Friday night.' "