COLERAIN TOWNSHIP, Ohio — Colerain High School named defensive coordinator Shawn Cutright as its new head football coach Friday afternoon, pending Board of Education approval Jan. 7.
"I'm humbled and honored to be the head coach of the Colerain football program," Cutright told WCPO. "I just can't wait to get started."
Cutright, who has been Colerain's defensive coordinator for 11 years, succeeds Tom Bolden who was named the Lakota West coach Dec. 7. Colerain (14-1) was the Division I state runner-up this past season. Cutright thanked Bolden for being a mentor for him the past 13 years. Cutright said Bolden endorsed him for the position.
Colerain didn't have school Friday so Cutright didn't address the team in person Friday afternoon but he is well-connected to the players. He said he expects to be introduced formally to the community in early January.
"I'm pretty enthusiastic," Cutright said. "I definitely have some fire and passion" for coaching football at Colerain.
Cutright, a West Virginia native, joined the Colerain staff in 2005 under then-head coach Kerry Coombs. Cutright was promoted to defensive coordinator by Bolden.
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During Cutright's tenure, Colerain has earned 120 wins, 11 consecutive GMC titles, 10 playoff appearances, three regional titles and the 2018 state runner-up finish. The Cardinals allowed just 16 touchdowns in 15 games during the 2018 season.
"I had the privilege of traveling with the team to Canton, and I got to see first-hand how strong the bond and brotherhood is with Colerain football, and Shawn is a big part of that," Colerain Athletic Director Craig Ulland said. "Statistically, they speak for themselves - 120 wins as a coordinator, including 11 straight conference championships. Last year alone, the team only gave up 16 touchdowns on defense in 15 games. The kids love him, and he is well respected by the coaching staff."
Overall, the Cardinals have won 12 consecutive Greater Miami Conference titles. Nine of those GMC titles were won outright.
Colerain, which has nine consecutive postseason appearances and 11 trips to the playoffs the past 12 years, has won 19 consecutive GMC titles overall. Colerain has won 75 consecutive GMC games dating back to October 2008.
Colerain has not announced a Week 1 opponent for the 2019 season. The Cardinals will host St. Xavier in the final game of a home-and-home agreement between the two programs. Colerain will have its eight-game GMC schedule after that.
Prior to this past season, Colerain was ranked No. 5 nationally among the most successful high school football programs since 2003, according to MaxPreps.
In 2013, Cutright was named Assistant Coach of the Year by the Southwest Ohio Football Coaches Association, according to a news release. He has taught biology, genetics, astronomy, environmental science and physical science while at Colerain.
Prior to Colerain, was previously a defensive coordinator for Northside High School in Jacksonville, North Carolina. He was also the varsity baseball coach (2003-05). Prior to that, he coached football, boys' basketball and softball at Franklin High School.
Cutright lives in South Lebanon with his wife, Renee and their three children, Olivia (13), Connor (8) and Nyah (5).
Colerain received applications from coaching candidates from Florida to Arizona and internationally, Ulland said. The pool of candidates also included high school head coaches and assistants and college assistants. Colerain conducted interviews earlier this week.
