H.S. Football: Alum Jack Armstrong excited to be new Midview coach

New coach Jack Armstrong doesn't need to learn the history and tradition of the Midview football program. He's lived it. Armstrong, a 2012 Midview graduate, was approved by the Midview Board of Education on Wednesday to replace Luke Beal, who resigned last month to take a teaching job in another district. Armstrong was a defensive assistant on Beal's staff the last two seasons. "This program means a lot to me. I grew up going to Midview," Armstrong said. "I bleed blue and silver. Midview football is one of the main reasons I am the man I am today." Armstrong was a captain on the 2011 team that was coached by Bill Albright and finished 8-2. After graduating from Bowling Green State University, Armstrong returned to Midview as a teacher and a coach in 2017. "Growing up in the Midview football program I learned about the deep tradition and strong community that is within Midview football and how supported they are," Armstrong said. "Midview football has allowed me to build many good relationships and have many good mentors." Armstrong credits the coaches he played for and worked under with preparing him for his first head job. "Coach (D.J.) Shaw brought me on staff and I had learned a lot from him. Under Coach Beal I made the transition from offense to defense," Armstrong said. "Not only did Coach Shaw give me the tools to succeed, I have many people to thank, Coach (Chad) DiFranco, Coach (Scott) Crum, Coach (Jeff) Riesen and Coach Albright, who was the one that got Midview on the map and really strengthened that tradition to the fullest extent." Armstrong will be the eighth coach since the school opened in 1955. "Coach Armstrong exhibits the qualities and communicated the vision that Midview Athletics is looking for in its next head football coach," athletic director Dan May said. "He is a student-centered teacher who will continue to develop Midview football as a well-rounded program for our student-athletes." "I knew I was ready to become a head coach," Armstrong said. "With all of the experiences I have been presented with I have a lot of tools and I have had experiences that most soon-to-be 30-year-olds don't have. When the job opened I moved forward for it because I want to put these kids in the best position to succeed." Midview made the playoffs five times in six seasons between 2012 and 2017, but its only postseason appearance since was in the COVID-shortened 2020 season. The Middies were 6-22 in Beal's three seasons. "It's all about building relationships with these kids. Being in the district already and being a Midview alum, I already have relationships built," Armstrong said. "I think the biggest thing is getting the kids to start loving football again, then they will learn to work to win. Kids are going to start believing in this program, making football a priority. I wouldn't have applied for this job if I didn't think I could bring Midview back to that status it was at. "It's super important to show the kids you care about them, not as a football player but as a person," Armstrong said. "I think all of these kids know I would take the shirt off my back to help them out. Showing kids you care and you're committed to them goes a long way." Although Armstrong is taking over with fewer than 80 days until the season kicks off Aug. 18 at Westlake, he's confident the team will be ready for opening night. "Starting late somewhere else might be difficult, but Midview is such a special place and a special community I am confident we'll be ready to roll Week 1," Armstrong said. "Right now I am trying to set the standard that we're going to work to win and that we're the best versions of ourselves we can be every day." Contact Todd Shapiro at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.