BUCYRUS — For the first time in seven years, the Bucyrus football program will be in search of a head coach.
Aaron Eckert has stepped down as the Redmen’s head man to take a position in the Ontario school system. The move was more personal than football.
“This was an opportunity that came up rather quickly,” Eckert said. “All the changes in Bucyrus had me worried. I fully believe in the kids in Bucyrus. I love the kids.”
A native of Crestline, Eckert has been in the Bucyrus system for eight years. His first year in the football program was as an assistant to Jake Bruner. Eckert was hired as head coach when Bruner left to become principal at Colonel Crawford.
In his seven years at the helm, Eckert compiled a record of 24-46. While the last four years have been difficult in terms of wins and losses, he had a modicum of success early on.
The peak came in 2014 when the Redmen went 7-3, 5-2 in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference. That was one of the highlights Eckert will remember from his tenure.
“We beat a state-ranked Upper Sandusky team in overtime in 2013,” Eckert said. “That was an awesome experience. And we came back and beat Willard in the last minute in 2012.”
In the off-season, Eckert has developed a formidable powerlifting team.
“I’m proud of our lifting team,” Eckert said. “We have won the last five competitions we’ve been in.”
Wins and losses notwithstanding, Eckert’s teams were seldom boring to watch. Running the spread offense, his squads set several team and individual passing and receiving records at Bucyrus.
He also continued and expanded the summertime 7-on-7 competitions and linemen challenges initiated by Bruner.
But it was not just football that motivated Eckert. His connections with players and students are life-long.
“It’s more about the kids and the relationships you make as a coach in general,” Eckert said. “I’ll cherish these relationships, the good, the bad and the ugly that we went through together.
“All but one kid (from the football program) graduated,” he continued. “I think their involvement with football has helped get kids through. Multiple kids graduated that might not have otherwise.”
Family was part of the equation. Eckert and his wife, Maribeth, have three young sons, ages 4, 2 and 1 and without the rigors of being the head coach, he will be able to spend more time with them.
“It’s not so much in-season,” Eckert said. “It’s a lot of the off-season stuff. It’s the evenings and weekends I’m not there to put them to bed. My wife’s been a trooper about it, but in need to be there for her.”
While the Eckerts have no immediate plan to relocate, that could eventually mitigate another issue — his wife’s current 50-minute commute to her job, which would be reduced by a move to Ontario.
Eckert is not walking away from football totally. He plans to be a part of the Ontario staff.
“I’m not closing the door on being a head coach again someday,” Eckert said. “For now, I’ll be happy being an assistant, helping Ontario win games, and spending more time at home.”
It will be with mixed emotions that Eckert walks out of Bucyrus High School for the last time.
“Coaching is about helping kids on and off the field,” Eckert said. “I have enjoyed my time here. The teachers here are awesome. This was just an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”