Taft hires former Purcell Marian athletic director D.J. Dowdy to same role

Taft High School has hired former Purcell Marian athletic director and football coach D.J. Dowdy as its newest athletic director, according to Cincinnati Public Schools athletic manager Josh Hardin.

While at Purcell Marian, Dowdy led the football team to a 17-14 record in three seasons. He stepped down as the football coach after a 6-5 record in 2022 to focus on his duties as the athletic director. Before stepping down as the athletic director in Spring 2023, he oversaw the construction of Staubach Stadium, the Cavaliers' first home football stadium in the school's 94-year history.

Watch: Taft basketball Revenge Tour ends with Division III state championship

Dowdy takes over at Taft for Romell Salone, who served as the Senators' athletic director for seven seasons. In his time at Taft, the Senators won the 2022 Division III boys basketball state championship and won seven postseason football games, most notably advancing to the 2022 Division IV regional final against Wyoming.

Taft and Purcell Marian will face off at Staubach Stadium on Friday, Sep. 15. Both teams are 3-1 this season.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Taft High School hires D.J. Dowdy as interim athletic director