North Central football coach Kevin O'Shea resigns: 'A change of scenery is much needed.'

Kevin O’Shea resigned as football coach at North Central on Friday, ending a six-year tenure at the school that included the program’s first sectional championship in 25 years.

O’Shea was 25-37 in six seasons, leading the Panthers on an upward trajectory after 10 consecutive non-winning seasons. After a 3-7 season in his first year of 2017, North Central went 9-3 and won a sectional title the following year for the first time since 1993. The Panthers pushed eventual state champion Warren Central in the regional, falling 42-32 in front of a big crowd at North Central.

More:Indiana high school football regional scores, highlights, stats

After three consecutive winning seasons, North Central dropped to 1-9 in 2021 and 0-10 this season. O’Shea said the death of former North Central athletic director Paul Loggan, who brought him to the school from Lafayette Central Catholic, in 2020 was part of his decision to resign.

“I need to recharge a bit,” O’Shea said. “I’ve got six grandkids now and a son who’s a head coach. Ever since Paul’s death it’s been a struggle. A change of scenery is much needed.”

O’Shea, who was also the director of sports performance at North Central, said he is uncertain if he will coach again. He won five state championships at Lafayette Central Catholic prior to coming to North Central. O’Shea, a former all-state quarterback at McCutcheon and standout at Franklin College, started his coaching career at Delta in 1993 before coaching at McCutcheon, Attica and Lafayette Central Catholic. He is 239-110 overall in 30 seasons.

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana high school football: North Central coach Kevin O'Shea resigns