lol, sounds like a parent of the second or third string qb needed to vent,lol. zac was a very good qb, and a great young man.no more needs to be said about that other then the best qb they had started.

Nice response Coach Harris! It is hard to rebut an argument when there is no clear argument stated. "Ravenfan" seems to just bounce around with some of his "facts" from his "research". One thing is clear from his comments, he knows very little about the Ravenna Football Program, the Ravenna coaching staff, the Ravenna players or high school football in general!
Ravenna truly has a football program in every sense of the word! The program is developing and improving every year. The program includes success on the playing field, success in the classroom, player participation in community activities, character building and a whole lot more! Every aspect of the program from the offseason workouts- to the tutoring programs-to the offensive/defensive schemes are reviewed on a regular basis and updated or modified as needed. Highly qualified, experienced coaches have been brought in (by the head coach) and regularly attend coaching seminars to learn new techniques, etc. This program didn't develop by accident. It is the result of a dedicated head coach that epitomizes the word leader. The average fan/parent has no idea of the things that take place behind the scenes! I have heard Coach Jim Tressel speak on a couple of occasions. One of his driving principles for being a good head coach is to "surround yourself with good people, people you can trust, delegate responsibility to them and get out of their way and let them do their thing". That is sound management! That is what Coach Lunardi is doing in Ravenna. Building a successful football program is why Coach Lunardi was invited to speak at the Pittsburg 48th Annual Coach of the Year Clinic last month (http://www.nikecoyfootball.com/pdf2010/PittsburghSchedule2010.pdf), one of only two Ohio HS coaches invited! It is why he was asked to coach in the Ohio North- South game! It is why when you talk to college recruiters and head coaches they have the utmost respect for the Ravenna football program and Coach Lunardi!
"Ravenfan", regarding your knowledge of high school football and the need for a D-II school to be "more than one dimensional" to beat other D-II teamsdid you watch any of the OHSAA State Championships this year?!! 2009 Division II state champs, Cincinnati Winton Woods dominated Maple Heights with a score of 42-12. Winton woods had 376 yards in rushing! They threw the ball 2 (two) times for a total of 28 yards in the air. Kinda one dimensional don't you think? 2009 Division I state champs, Hilliard Davidson beat Cleveland Glenville 16-15! Davidson gained ALL of there 250 yards on the ground! No passing yards for the D-I state champs! Maybe both State Championship programs should get rid of their respective coaches for being too one dimensional! Or maybe that is high school football and you go with your strengths.(?)
"Ravenfan", regarding this year's quarterback you stated he was a "terrible passer" and you attended most of the home games (I doubt you sat in the torrential downpours we had most Friday nights!). This year's QB was voted PTC Metro Co-MVP along with the Ravenna tailback by the PTC Coaches. He led the league in completion percentages with .581! The Ravens were a running team this year (go with your strength!), so they only averaged 60 yards per game passing. The "QB sneaks" your refer to were actually part of a pretty complex offensive scheme that includes a lot of reads by a QB, you probably wouldn't understand! If you click a few more buttons on your MAXPREPS website you would see that this year's QB also led the league QB's in rushing with 696 yards (averaging 6.27 yds/carry) and, he led all QB's in points scored and touchdowns. By the way he IS my son! Be careful your opinions don't get in the way of the facts!!
I have not always agreed with every decision of Coach Lunardi, every aspect of the program or every play call for that matter. When I have felt strongly about an issue with the program I have made an appointment with Coach Lunardi and discussed my concerns. He has always been very receptive to new ideas or differing opinions! That doesn't mean he has necessarily changed things my way (fans and/or parents shouldn't micromanage), but he is willing and open to hear out any valid concerns! I would suggest, as Coach Harris did, that if you are truly looking for change in some area of the football program make an appointment and provide your concerns (as well as possible solutions). Your other options are to continue whining on internet forums or maybe try Sound-Off (that should fix things!).
Ravenna is very fortunate to have Coach Lunardi and the rest of the football staff!

Nice post coach Harris!

I will not allow myself to be dragged into a long debate that is obviously more opinion driven despite so called facts. I will not make any further postings after this.

I call these so called facts for several reasons. While it is true that Ravenna is a DII school, it has not been a DII school until last year (2009 season).

It is fact that the Ravens face, nearly the same schedule as every previous year; Streetsboro (a DIII school) is leaving and being replaced by Akron North (a DII school) and Tallmadge (a DII school) is replacing Louisville (a DIII school). Now don't discount Louisville because of their division listing. They have been a consistent perennial playoff team. Canton South and Kent remain (both as mentioned are DII schools), so in essence the schedule is getting tougher based on division rankings alone.

Let's clarify something as the original article implies that Coach Lunardi controls the footballs schedule or league in which the team plays in. Coach Lunardi does not schedule his games or pick the leagues in which Ravenna participates. That is the athletic director's decision. While coach Lunardi's voice and opinion are more than likely heard regarding this matter... I repeat it's not his decision. In the end, inciting that Coach Lunardi step down or be replaced due to the teams schedule or the teams Ravenna plays is absurd. However, that is not what the original poster is arguing, all be it is disguised in the message. I cannot argue the win loss record against division two teams other than Ravenna has not been a division two team until last football season and that Ravenna only made it to being listed as a division two school based on records submitted to the state from three years ago. Those records pushed Ravenna up a division by two students. Let's be honest, Ravenna has taken a serious hit to its general population including student enrollment over the course of the last few years. If you don't believe me, take a look at the number of homes that are on the market in the city.

In the comments, there is a remark regarding the statistics only going back three years on MaxPreps.com. Let us be clear, the records only go back three years because, prior to that time frame, Coach Lunardi did not have the staff or resources to get that information posted on MaxPreps. That is no longer the case and therefore people, such as yourself, other community members, athletes, parents, fans, other coaches (internal staff and other teams coaches) as well as college recruiters and journalists now have access to this information.

Elsewhere in the comments; on the subject of Coach Lunardi's attendance and dedication are questions as a result of him not being present at Middle School Transitions and weight lifting at the middle school. This I personally find funny. Why should he be at either? Transitions is about making a transition from middle school to high school. The so called Lackeys that attended transitions are the Freshmen coaches; the very coaches that these young men will be playing for. So why should they meet Coach Lunardi over the coaches they are going to be playing for? To me it's like saying that you should be meeting the CEO of a company you are interviewing with the very first time you walk into the building or demanding that as a prospective college athlete you should meet with the head coach before the recruiters or coaches that will be working with you directly at that college. Now with respects to coach Lunardi's attendance at the middle school lifting " it is absurd to have him there. The high school is lifting Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, from 2:30pm till 4pm/4:30pm unless there is a scheduled school day off in which Wednesday then replaces the missed Monday or Friday. The middle school lifts Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 2:45 till 4:15. It is physically impossible for him to be in two places at once. Coach Lunardi did check in on Wednesday lifts when he was running the clock at middle school basketball games. So anyone saying that he's never there obviously didn't check his or her facts.

To address the concerns mentioned in postings regarding youth football program not having the capacity to or option to participate at middle school lifting, well let's just say this person has not done their homework. Coach Space, Coach Spellmen, Coach Llyod and myself have all scheduled as well as attended meetings at the middle school during lunch hours to invite all Ravenna Football players, regardless of grade to participate in the lifting programs. Additionally paperwork has been available in the office regarding weight lifting, and announced on the PA prior to dismissal on more than one occasion.

As to the qualifications of Coach Lunardi's staff; well I am not going to debate anyone's qualifications, because, one it is not my place and two because it doesn't matter. What matters is that there are more than twenty adults in this city have taken more time, than to do a little halfhearted research and instigate unrest by posting here.

Back to the original poster, I question the depth of research as well as the reasoning - motivation for calling coach Lunardi out. What qualifies the original poster to pass judgment? I mean, are you a disgruntled parent, former coach on Coach Lunardi's staff, or someone that just has too much time on their hands and finds it far easier and safer to sit the sidelines and hide behind the anonymity of this forum? Or are you a high school or college coach with an impeccable track record and a desire to coach at Ravenna for some reason? I am not saying you are not entitled to your opinions or that you cannot express them, but I do suggest that if you are going to call a coach out, that you should do so with a stronger argument and in possibly engage the coach in person, before stirring or rising public opinion on half-truths and incomplete facts marred in opinion.

I have already written way more than I have originally intended so I am signing off here.

Signed Coach Charles Harris
Experience as a coach:
9 years as a youth football coach
2 years as a High School volunteer coach
1 year as a Middle School Coach

More than 384 hours in attending coaches' clinics in NE and Mid-Ohio as well as Western PA.

State certified to coach high school football
CPR certified

Coaching Affiliations: OHSSA, AFCA, Coaching4Life, and USA Football

All of this doesn't mean I am a perfect or even a good coach, but it does signify that I am continually learning about the game, techniques, strategies as well as improve who and what I do as a coach.

I have read the posts about Jim Lunardi, his coaching abilities and his involvement in Ravenna. I will not state statistics or talk about the quality of teams that Ravenna plays, but I will talk about the quality that I feel is most important in any leader--coach, teacher, priest, parent...that quality is CHARACTER. For those of you quick to judge Jim Lunardi and his winning/losing history, you obviously don't know the man like others do. He could lose every game, but still maintain character. And it is that character which he passes down to his players, staff, colleagues, and anyone around him. Character says everything about a person and based on the posts on this site, it is evident the character that each one of you possesses. I'm sure that Coach Lunardi has read some of these posts, and thankfully his faith and his character will let him see the truth behind your comments. In my opinion, he has had many "wins" in Ravenna, not always on the field, but overall in the many years he's been there. I will remain a true believer in him, the program and in Ravenna Football.

discussion.

This will be my last post on this subject do to the fact I have stated the facts to educate those in Ravenna who may not know what is really going on with Ravenna Football. The responses that have been received are nothing more than opinions trying to cover up the facts. I will explain why, then I am done posting. All I will ask is that you state your facts with evidence. I have stated the facts, for anyone who wishes to look things up go to http://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/gJMaulRrsUiQVeySN_NL-w/ravenna-ravens/football/home.htm

First of all, the stats that were posted only went back three years. If you go back further under Lunardi's tenure you will find that the toughness of schedule was changed during his tenure. Next thing you know Ravenna is winning games. It's not Rocket Science.

posted by alfaromeos:

"Last year, our youth players had access to the weight room and guidance provided to them by the student players and coaches from the high school."

When I speak of the youth I mean the boys who are 1st-8th grade. They are the future of Ravenna who can be influenced. The 9th-12th graders are already there. I know for a fact that the weight room is not open to the youth as I stated. 6th, 7th & 8th graders do have a work out program at Brown Middle School. However, Lunardi is never there.

"To justify the stadium, look at the cities of Chardon and Hudson."

Chardon & Hudson, are you serious?! No sense in even responding to this comparison.

"If you have backs that can consistently move the ball, why throw? If you have a quarterback with a rifle for an arm, and receivers with speed you open it up."

So, being one dimensional in a sport that requires you to do both is ok at the DII level? Trust me there are a hand full of boys on the roster who could have averaged more than 60 yards per game passing. Did you even attend the games? The QB last year was horrible at passing? If you believe in the run that much why not place your #2 back in as the QB. At least he would have averaged more on the ground than 60 yards per game on QB keepers! And always remember one compliments the other unless one of the two is non-existent. I feel bad for the boys who had to live with the HC decision to play this kid.

"One kid of mine had a winning record in Ravenna, the other didn't. I don't call one a winner and the other a loser."

Great, job greenboys/alfaromeos. But I don't ever remember stating that the kids were winners or losers. Answer the initial question then I will take you seriously. You can't call the boys losers for their coaches lack of commitment. It's called leadership!

As for transitions, No it is not all about academics. If it was, none of the athletic depts. would attend. It is the time for the coaches to sell future players on their program, period! Some may call it recruiting>>>

"If you're not sold on the program here, you can always relocate or enroll your kid in another program"

This is the easy answer alfa, I have heard it a million times. My response is simple, I am not an average person, never wanted to be and I refuse to accept it. Average people accept things for the way they are. I choose to express my concerns about the problem. I won't relocate because a coach has a losing record against teams at his same level. No way, I will however continue to educate enough people to make changes within the program. Do you see the difference?

Lastly I agree with you 5ofus. I am done with this dis