The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Grbac steps down as coach at VASJ
Vikings alum was 7-11 in two seasons leading team
Elvis is leaving the building. Elvis Grbac has stepped down as Villa Angela-St. Joseph’s head football coach, the school announced on Oct. 19, ending a twoyear run at his alma mater.
Grbac said he is pursuing a business opportunity, which will not allow him time to continue coaching the Vikings.
VASJ recently finished a 1-7 season with a 47-21 loss to Youngstown Ursuline in the second round of the Division IV playoffs. The Vikings were 7-11 in two seasons with Grbac at the helm.
“I am pursuing a business opportunity that precludes me from giving full attention to my coaching duties,” said Grbac in a news release sent by the school. “I’m also continuing to work toward my master’s degree in theology from St. Mary’s Seminary. I just can’t do justice to all these efforts simultaneously.”
Grbac said he plans to continue his role as director of Marianist Urban Studies Program at the school for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year.
“Elvis has been a great asset to our school and an inspiration to all of our students, athletes and otherwise,” said VASJ principal Dave Csank. “But we understand his decision and we appreciate the time he has give us to make a careful decision going forward.”
Csank said the search for a new coach will begin immediately.
Grbac returned to his alma mater i n 2019 as both athletic director and football coach. Earlier this year, Adi Taraska was hired to take over as AD while Grbac remained as football coach.
A 1988 graduate of St. Joseph, Grbac played football at the University of Michigan, teaming with high school classmate Des
mond Howard for a decorated career with the Wolverines.
A f ter college, Grbac played with the 49ers, Chiefs and Ravens in the NFL, helping the 49ers win the Super Bowl in 1994.
“Regardless of my official role at VASJ, I plan to continue to support the school in every way I can,” Grbac said. “I love the school and everything it stands for.”