The Copley-Fairlawn City Schools district has made an exciting decision in selecting a new head coach for their high school football program. John Kromalic, a former student, has been appointed to the position pending Board of Education approval in March. Kromalic is no stranger to the team, having previously served as the offensive coordinator under former coach Jake Parsons for the past two seasons. This experience and familiarity with the team made Kromalic an ideal candidate for the head coach position.
Copley Athletic Director Andy Jalwan made the announcement of Kromalic’s selection and expressed the district’s excitement to have one of their own lead the team. With Kromalic’s proven dedication and experience in coaching, the district is optimistic about the upcoming season. Pending approval from the Board of Education, Kromalic will take on this new role and work towards leading the team to success.
The appointment of Kromalic as head coach is a testament to the district’s commitment to their students and the community. By selecting one of their own, they hope to provide a sense of pride and ownership for the team and the community. With Kromalic’s leadership and expertise, the district is looking forward to an exciting season of high school football.
“It is my pleasure to announce coach Kromalic’s promotion to the head football coach at Copley High School,” Jalwan said in a prepared statement. “John has proven himself to be dedicated to this school district, a man of high character and determined to work hard to give our students a great football experience.”
In January, former Copley football coach Jake Parsons resigned after leading the team for four seasons, accumulating a record of 16-26 and securing three OHSAA playoff appearances in Division III. With Parsons’ departure, the district was on the lookout for a new head coach, and they found their ideal candidate in John Kromalic.
Kromalic is a former Copley High School graduate and played quarterback during his time there. He also has previous assistant coaching experience at Nordonia High School and Brecksville High School. Kromalic’s passion for coaching extends beyond football, as he is also the coach of Copley’s girls track and field team.
Aside from coaching, Kromalic works as an AP history teacher at Copley High School. He currently resides in Stow with his wife, Samantha, and their daughter, Lilah. With Kromalic’s expertise and passion for coaching, the district is looking forward to seeing how he will lead the team and bring them to success in the upcoming season.
“I’m very excited to be the head football coach at Copley High School,” Kromalic said in a prepared statement. “Growing up, it has been a dream of mine to help build the football team into a consistent contender in the Suburban League. I’m excited to continue building on the legacy of Copley football. I look forward to the opportunity to build relationships not only with my players but also with community members as we look ahead to a fantastic season.”
During his tenure as head coach at Copley, Jake Parsons led the team to various records. In 2019, the team finished with a record of 2-8, while the following year, they had a major improvement, finishing with a record of 8-2. Unfortunately, the team’s success was short-lived as they finished the 2021 and 2022 seasons with records of 3-8 under Parsons’ leadership.
Despite the team’s recent struggles, Parsons’ efforts as head coach were not entirely in vain. In 2020, he was recognized for his achievements and named Suburban League American Conference Coach of the Year. This honor is a testament to Parsons’ dedication and efforts in leading the team to a successful season.
With the recent appointment of John Kromalic as the new head coach, Copley is optimistic about their future success in high school football. With his experience and passion for coaching, the team is looking forward to a fresh start and a new era of football at Copley High School.