Pickerington Central players feel connection to Sharrett

Jay Sharrett has coached football at Pickerington for some 28 years, but he is uncomfortable calling it a job.

“I consider it more of a lifestyle,” said Sharrett, who will guide Pickerington Central (13-1) into its third Division I state-title game Friday against Mentor (13-1) at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.

“Coaching football is a year-round passion starting in the weight room.

That’s where you build such a fierce loyalty to your fellow coaches and all the players. I feel like lifestyle creates atmosphere. We all genuinely enjoy each other’s company. I remind the coaches and players all the time that this is supposed to be fun. I’d like to think that’s reflected in the way we play.”

One of the hallmarks of Sharrett’s teams is the reckless abandon and confidence they play with. While he has been blessed with some great athletes, Sharrett affords them a longer leash to help them thrive.

“I would say that coach Sharrett is a player’s coach,” senior defensive back Xavier Henderson said. “I wouldn’t say that he’s loose, but he knows when to be strict and to have fun. He jokes with us a lot, but he can get serious real quick, and that definitely gets our attention.”

Senior tight end/ outside linebacker Trenton Gillison, who is to join Henderson at Michigan State next fall, said Sharrett’s personality permeates the program.

“He likes us to play with confidence, and the way he has built relationships with all of us makes us feel comfortable,” Gillison said.

Defensive back Jeremiah Wood added, “I think it speaks a lot about coach Sharrett how many alums come back to games. We’re a tight program, and coach is a big part of that.”

Central typically commits an alarming number of penalties. This season, the Tigers average 8.2 penalties and 74 yards. But none of that seems to bother Sharrett much.

“We get penalties for playing football. If we do, we do,” Sharrett said. “We can overcome those. My bugaboo is turnovers. You can’t overcome those. Our goal is always to have one or fewer turnovers in a game.”

The Tigers have forced 34 turnovers, for an astonishing plus-21 margin.

Sharrett’s personality and coaching traits are traced to his upbringing. He played at Circleville and Capital.

“Our backyard opened up to Ted Lewis Park, and I’ve always told people I had the biggest backyard in Circleville,” he said. “I played an awful lot of football there, and the sport just connected with me. By the time I was in eighth grade, I knew I was destined to be a teacher and coach.”

At Circleville, he specialized as a blocking wingback and defensive back. At Capital, he made all-Ohio Athletic Conference.

“I really believe that playing that unheralded role in high school made me appreciate the concept of players surrendering themselves to the program, and I consider that to be a big strength of this team — and all of our teams, for that matter,” he said.

Sharrett was hired at the original Pickerington High School in 1990 and began as

a freshman coach. He spent 14 seasons as an assistant before succeeding the legendary Jack Johnson in 2003 — the same year the district split to form Pickerington North.

“It wasn’t a culture shock for me when I became head coach,” Sharrett said. “Our program already had been very successful for many years, and I didn’t have to fix anything. Even so, I’d had it in my mind all along how I wanted to put my own stamp on the program.”

Sharrett’s teams have compiled a record of 153-31 — 84-8 in Ohio Capital Conference play — with 13 conference titles and 14 playoff appearances in his 15 seasons. No other

area coach can boast his 83.2-percent win rate, but a state title has eluded him.

“Seriously, who sets out to win this many games and OCC championships?” he said. “I really think it’s been a product of our continuity and having people on the same page.

“It’s nice to win, but my goal here has always been for these guys to be my friends when they leave here and go out into the world. It’s kind of tough every year when we graduate a class, but my wife, Lynda, and I also remark that we’ve got 25 new sons coming in the following year.”