Football Coaching Landscape Changing in the FAC

Presented by McDonald’s, I’m Lovin’ It! & Ross-Chillicothe Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Frontier Athletic Conference coaching ranks will look different next football season.

Hillsboro’s Jack O’Rourke reportedly has resigned according to the Highland County Press, Chillicothe’s Doug Pryor has posted on Facebook he’s been non-renewed for the next season and McClain’s Jake Orr-Zody will not return under a separation agreement with Greenfield Exempted Village Schools effective December 1st.

O’Rourke compiled a 30-31 mark at with the Indians from 2016-2021, a stint which saw Hillsboro go 16-5 during the ’17 and ’18 seasons. He was named Ohio’s Division VI Coach of the Year in 2018.

Pryor stated in his post he’d been given the opportunity to reapply for the position and that he has.

It’s not uncommon for school districts to hire coaches on a year by year basis.

Pryor is 14-12 in three seasons with the Cavaliers after succeeding Ron Hinton who stepped down after the 2018 season. Pryor’s Cavs won the FAC Championship during the shortened season in 2020. Chillicothe just missed the playoffs this season going 5-4.

Last October, Orr-Zody was placed on administrative leave from the school district before the Tigers’ game with Miami Trace. He did not return to the sideline the remainder of the season.