Huntley named track coach at Port Clinton

Kevin Huntley is cautiously optimistic. The defensive coordinator for Port Clinton's football team was recently named the head track and field coach for the Redskins. He takes over for Seth Benner, who retired with 31 years of experience, including 29 as a head coach. "I understand it is a task to take on the challenge leading a program on the rise," Huntley said. "There is talent and an opportunity to really do some big things. I look forward to sharing some experience and fostering a love for the sport in our athletes. I am excited about the challenge." Rick Dominick, who is preparing for his last full season as athletic director at PC and will work with incoming AD Alex Sheridan throughout the year, feels that Huntley will be successful. "Like all of our head coaches, Seth did so much for his program, for his athletes and with his athletes behind the scenes that no one ever saw or will ever appreciate," Dominick said. "Seth put a lot of trust in his staff and their experiences. In a conversation that Kevin had with Alex and myself, I feel like (Huntley) will take the same approach. "Coach Huntley may not have the years of experience coaching track that Seth had, but he had an accomplished career in track and field and he has the T-shirts to prove it. He understands the work ethic and dedication necessary to be successful." Huntley is a teacher at Port Clinton Middle School and graduated from Fremont St. Joseph Central Catholic. "I have a wonderful group of coaches that I will work with to evaluate what worked and what we can do better to prepare our kids," Huntley said. "Sometimes it could be a small tweak and sometimes it may take an overhaul, but the key will be to examine it with the season as a whole as the framework we are preparing them for. Seeing where we can develop the kids so their training is targeted and not a blanket approach could be a change for some of the kids. "As much of the sport is individual, I think it's important that the kids feel a part of the whole as well with team pride. I think that was the case before, but I really want to continue to foster that kind of environment." Huntley was a three-time state champion as a hurdler and held two state records for 27 years in Ohio. "He had a very successful career as an athlete and understands the sacrifices and work that is necessary to achieve at the levels he did as an athlete," Dominick said. "He has been able to translate that in his coaching career. He was a highly successful head football coach in Florida at a school that was not known for its athletics prior to his arrival. He was able to do the same in track." After high school, Huntley lettered four years in college in track and field at the University of Wisconsin. As a hurdler and sprinter, he participated on three Triple Crown Big Ten Championship teams. "I'm excited about being able to guide and influence the kids in the best way possible," Huntley said. "I think I can sprinkle some passion onto the youthful exuberance and hopefully move some talent to levels they hoped to achieve or maybe even beyond. Watching it click for a kid as a coach is amazing and I look forward to as many of those moments as possible." With seemingly every sport on the decline in participation numbers, breathing new life into an already successful program will be key for Huntley. "We talked about working to get more of our athletes out for track in the spring," Dominick said. "Coach Huntley explained to us his philosophy and how track can complement sports such as football, basketball and wrestling and vice-versa. As our defensive coordinator, I am hoping the relationships he cultivates with our football players will move the interest needle in track for some of those players." Huntley was inducted into the Ohio Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame. He coached track and field for five years in Florida prior to joining PC City Schools before last year. "PC has a sense of pride that is clear in how the kids compete across the various sports," Huntley said. "Like every kid, they want to experience success and I think the community supports that willingness by showing up and acknowledging them for their successes." Howerth to coach girls golf Port Clinton recently named Mark Howerth as the new girls golf coach. Howerth will stay on as the baseball coach as well. "I am thinking this will be my last head coach hire and I feel pretty good about it," Dominick said. "Certainly, Kevin already being on staff in the district was good fortune for all of us. I love our kids for how they compete. I love our head coaches for how they lead their programs, the relationships they develop with their athletes and the life lessons they emphasize through being a part of their program."