The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Oberlin hires former Lorain assistant as coach
Oberlin didn’t have to look far to find its new football coach.
On Feb. 8, the Phoenix set its sights on former Lorain assistant coach and Oberlin’s strength and conditioning coach Kenny Washington.
“I am very pumped, blessed and excited for this opportunity,” he said.
Washington will replace former coach Mark Campo, who resigned in the offseason. Campo, along with another former coach highlighted program concerns about the state of Oberlin football to the school board.
“Washington comes to the district with coaching experience, a commitment to our program, students and district,” Oberlin Superintendent Dr. David Hall said in a press release.
On the surface, it didn’t seem like an attractive coaching job. However, his familiarity with the school district and younger generation was something that made him want to apply for the job. He wanted to show the players the traits that translates off the field.
“I am doing ground-work. I wasn’t scared or shied away. (Oberlin’s situation) gave me every reason to want to (be the head coach). I believe that all kids have a chance to compete in football,” Washington said.
Washington will be the fourth coach in four years, as the program endured an 0-9 season and a game cancellation to Wellington, due to the lack of players.
Washington already has built relationships with Oberlin student-athletes in the middle school and in high school. Washington said that there are eighth-graders interested in playing football, after Campo told the school board that the program anticipated none.
“We have eighth-graders who are interested in playing football and we will begin working with those student-athletes,” he said. “I am excited to bring the program new life and I am pleased to have the opportunity to continue the tradition of being a rising Phoenix.”
He currently serves as a strength/health and nutrition educator, as well as a strength and conditioning coach at Oberlin High School. During his time, he recognized the district’s athletic potential.
“Even in the winter, our fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-graders are competing for (Lorain County League) championships. That means that we have talent in the district. We need to push it in certain spots to get it over the hump.”
Washington graduated from Lorain in 2016 and played Division II football at Findlay for three years. At Lorain, he was named first-team all-county, and all-conference.
He also coached the linebackers at Lorain for two years. The Titans went 8-3 and won a share of the Lake Erie League with a 4-1 conference record.
Oberlin Athletic Director Bryce Johnson referred Washington as the coach its “student-athletes in the district need.”
“He has already built relationships with not only our high school students-athletes as one of the strength and conditioning coaches, but he has worked his way down to our middle school and elementary school student-athletes,” Johnson said. “Oberlin should feel good about the future of Oberlin football and the direction of Oberlin Athletics is headed.”
Johnson sent in his letter of resignation and will no longer be the athletic director at the end of the school year.