Brian Cross named Teays Valley football coach
Brian Cross is back for more as he was named Teays Valley football coach Dec. 30, pending board approval Jan. 9.
Cross has a 248-146 career record, leading programs at Andover Pymatuning Valley, Eastmoor Academy, Grove City, Canton McKinley, Olentangy Orange and Ready. He was inducted into the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2020.
He last was a head coach in 2018 when he ended a five-year stint at Ready.
“To me, (Teays Valley) is a mix of a rural and suburban community,” said Cross, who was an assistant at Westerville Central last season. “It gives me the opportunity to help grow the football program as they head into the OCC in 2024. They have outstanding facilities that are well-maintained, and I believe tremendous community support.”
“Brian’s resume was impressive at first glance, with the success he has had wherever he has coached,” athletics director Joel Baker said. “But what made him stand out during the interview process was his passion for student-athletes and the game of football.”
Cross replaces Mark Weber, who did not have his contract renewed in November. In 10 seasons, Weber had a 60-31 record with one losing season (3-6 in 2020). Teays Valley was 5-5 in 2016 and this past season. The Vikings won five MSL-Buckeye titles in his tenure, 2014-15 and 2017-19.
“The biggest thing I can bring to the program is a great work ethic and experience from coaching at some great programs,” Cross said. “We will try to improve upon the great tradition already established.
“We want to develop a team-first attitude. We will strive to be a physical football team that doesn’t beat itself. We want to improve the number of players on the team and continue to increase our size and strength with a great weight-room program.”
Baker believes Cross is the coach who can prepare the program for the OCC.
“Brian will bring a wealth of football knowledge to the program and will instill toughness and discipline,” Baker said. “He has years of experience coaching in the OCC and will use that experience to have our team prepared for the move to the OCC in 2024.”
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This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Brian Cross named Teays Valley football coach
