New Philadelphia's Dennison steps down as football coach

NEW PHILADELPHIA, Ohio - Matt Dennison is stepping down as head football coach of the New Philadelphia Quakers.

Dennison told his players in a Tuesday meeting that he would be stepping down, followed by a farewell post on the New Philadelphia Quaker Football Facebook page.

Click here for the full Facebook post

In the post, Dennison thanked his players and assistant coaches, as well as the "great support staff" of N.P.H.S. Dennison also said he will remain as the athletic director of New Philadelphia High School, a position which he's held since 2017.

Dennison did not confirm a replacement for the head coaching position in the Facebook post, and the search for a new coach is reportedly ongoing. Dennison said he intends to provide some input for the hiring process but will turn to the school administration to take the lead on that task and allow for the new coach to have complete ownership of the program from the start.

Dennison was the all-time winningest coach in New Philadelphia history, compiling a record of 142-53 in 18 seasons. The Quakers made the playoffs 12 times under his tenure, and won four East Central Ohio League titles (2004, 2005, 2015 and 2017). Dennison won a combined 14 Coach of the Year honors between the ECOL, Eastern District, and Region 11 prior to the 2020 season.

Dennison also coached two seasons at Claymont High School in 2001 and 2002, going a combined 12-8. His career head coaching record is 152-61.

He also served as an assistant coach for five seasons at his alma mater Wadsworth (1995-2000) and one year at Norton (1994).

Dennison took over a New Philadelphia program in 2003 that had only won six or more games once in the previous 18 seasons. However, Dennison rejuvenated the program with a 7-3 '03 season, followed by a 10-0 2004 regular season campaign highlighted by a win over Dover in the 100th all-time face-off between the two rival schools.

Other accomplishments under the Dennison tenure included the school's first playoff victory in 2016 and a No. 1 AP poll ranking in 2019.