Dave Dlugosz was chairing a meeting of the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association in Columbus on Friday and, by his own admission, was “half asleep” when he unexpectedly heard his name being read. The speaker was saying that Dlugosz was being inducted into the coaches hall of fame.
“I said, ‘You’ve got to be kidding,’” Dlugosz recalled Wednesday. “When I heard my name, I was shocked. I was dumbfounded and overwhelmed.”
But it was true. The longtime Avon Lake coach is among six people who will be inducted into the OHSFCA Hall of Fame in ceremonies April 17 at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus.
Dlugosz may have been surprised at the news, but many of his fellow coaches probably won’t be.
In 16 years as a head coach — all at Avon Lake — Dlugosz has compiled a record of 160-29. That’s a winning percentage of .847.
His teams have won a state championship (2003) and been state runner-up (2004). They also have won or shared 13 Southwestern Conference titles.
Dlugosz was quick to spread the credit around for his coaching success.
“I think there have been three keys to our success,” he said.
“Avon Lake is a football-crazy, supportive community.
“The kids have bought into the work ethic we’ve taught.
“And I’ve been fortunate to have an exceptional coaching staff that’s been together for quite a few years.”
He mentioned former assistants Rich DeMatte and Casey Wolnowski, current freshman coach Ken Weaver and current assistants Chuck Pettys, Larry Laird, Ed Citro, Tim Steubner, Marty Lucas, Matt Smith and Randy Bennett.
The victory in the 2003 state championship game was the culmination of a magical season, according to Dlugosz.
“All of the planets aligned correctly,” he said. “We had some great athletes and we were fortunate to go through the season with very few injuries.”
That team featured tailback Jon Schroeder, receivers Andrew Means and Trey Stross, defensive stalwart Matt Kostelnik and quarterback Tyler Booher.
Dlugosz is a 1970 graduate of Avon Lake and was an assistant coach at the school from 1974-85. After a stint as an assistant at Lakewood St. Edward from 1986-91, he returned to Avon Lake as head coach in 1992.
“I never wanted to be a head coach anywhere but Avon Lake,” he said.
Dlugosz, 56, sounds as if he’s nowhere near hanging up his clipboard and whistle.
“I still enjoy being around kids and I enjoy seeing kids grow and improve,” he said. “I don’t really have any other interests.”
Contact Ken Gottlieb at 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.

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