Gunn returns for second stint to lead the Cambridge football program
CAMBRIDGE − Faced with looking for a new head football coach following the resignation of former coach Ray Leek last month, the Cambridge City School District's Board of Education didn't have to go to far to find the right man for the job.
For a second time.
During Thursday's night's board of education meeting, former CHS head coach Kevin Gunn was tabbed to once again lead the Bobcats' football program.
"I'm just very excited about having the opportunity to lead the Cambridge football program again," Gunn said. "I met with the kids today. We had 43 kids in that meeting, and it was a very positive and energetic meeting. They are excited and so am I to be in this position again.
"I tell you I was up all night last night, just so excited and with my mind just racing," Gunn continued. "Mapping out a game plan to just hit the ground running. I definitely wasn't planning on this, but I'm very appreciative of this opening becoming available to me again with Coach Leek leaving."
Gunn guided the Cambridge football program for six years, compiling a 28-33 record before stepping down following the 2018 season. Gunn was named Eastern District Division IV Coach of the Year following the 2016 season after guiding the Bobcats to a 7-4 mark and a spot into OHSAA playoffs.
More: An opportunity to return home behind Ray Leek's decision to leave Cambridge football
"We are very fortunate to have an experienced coach like Kevin Gunn step into this role," Cambridge athletic director Aaron Quinn said. "He has valuable time at both the high school and college level, including a previous stint here at Cambridge. I'm fully confident Coach Gunn will continue to take our football program in the right direction."
Gunn expects seamless transition
Gunn spent three seasons coaching the offensive line at Muskingum University after he stepped down as Cambridge head coach. Gunn then made his return to the Bobcats sidelines by serving as an assistant coach on Leek's coaching staff the last four years.
Gunn has already built strong relationships with the current players and envisions a smooth transition as he takes over as head coach.
"The kids know me, and I know them," Gunn said. "I have built strong relationships with these kids over the last four years. And those relationships are where it starts in being a coach. You want the best for your players and do everything you can to help them in every way.
"Those relationships with the players was the key factor in me wanting to accept this position. They are a hard-working group of young men, and I enjoy working with them. I'm ready to roll and get to work, and I know they feel the same way."
Looking to reload following tough season
Following back-to-back successful playoff seasons, this past year the Bobcats stumbled to a rough 0-10 record as a total of 17 seniors were lost to graduation from that strong playoff squad.
Despite the tough lessons, the young Bobcats gained plenty of valuable playing time on the gridiron, and Gunn feels that will be a key asset moving forward next season.
"Last year was tough, but we were just so young," Gunn said. "I looked at every day this season as a chance to develop this kids for next year. We had a lot of kids get some valuable playing time this year, and while it was learning some tough lessons at times. I feel it will pay off big for us this next season in a lot of ways.
"I'm not real sure right now on exactly the number of lettermen we have coming back," Gunn said. "But we had 43 guys in our meeting today and almost all of them got some playing time last year. I know we have good numbers coming back. I'm just ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work."
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This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Cambridge opts for a familiar name to take over football program
