The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Vikings begin new era; Grbac: ‘It’s amazing’
Alum, ex-NFL QB continuing rebuild of program; facilities being upgraded
Villa Angela-St. Joseph’s administration made its expectations clear for the school’s football program when the Vikings hired alumnus Elvis Grbac as their new athletic director and football coach in April. A 1988 graduate of St. Joseph, Grbac played quarterback at Michigan before his nine-year NFL career.
Back at his alma mater, Grbac’s first season began Aug. 1 as the Vikings took the field behind the school for their first two-a-day session.
“I would’ve never thought in a million years I’d be here as a head coach working my first two-a-days,” Grbac said. “It’s amazing. The kids have really responded well, looking forward to the season and the work is really just beginning.”
Grbac, 48, replaced Bill Sowers as the Vikings’ football. Sowers went 7-13 in two seasons, but began rebuilding the football program and left a roster that included 32 freshmen and sophomores among its 48 players last season.
Senior wide receiver/defensive back Cam Williams and junior receiver/defensive back Jordan Dean will provide significant playmaking for the Vikings. Senior AJ Fabo and junior Kevin Eiseman, a transfer from Olmsted Falls, will compete for playing time at quarterback after Fabo started for the Vikings last season.
Williams said Grbac’s hire brought excitement to the program. Williams noticed increase focus and dedication among his teammates through summer workouts as they understand the value of Grbac’s pedigree.
“It feels great to start a new beginning,” Williams said. “We’re ready to do something special.”
Grbac pointed to sophomore receiver/defensive back Noah Clarke as another player he expects to lead.
“He expects a lot out of both of us,” Clarke said, standing next to Williams during a break in practice. “Every day after practice, I go home and think about what could I have done better on the practice field to improve the next day and the next day up until the game field.”
The Vikings are also beginning to transform their facilities. VASJ’s old tech building is being re-purposed into an athletic complex which will feature a 2,000-squarefoot weight room and 1,500-square-foot conditioning room. In the near future, the administration will explore a campaign to install a turf field and possibly return the Vikings’ home games to East 185th and Lake Shore Boulevard.
When Grbac graduated from St. Joseph High School, shortly before it merged with Villa Angela Academy, the Vikings won a state football championship the next season. The first steps toward restoring VASJ’s football program are centered on fundamentals and discipline.
“In a football program, there’s always the bigger picture,” Grbac said. “But if you’re not taking care of all the details that go within that and you’re only looking at the bigger picture, then you’re really not on a solid foundation.”