New Tribe football coach set to win ... now

Fitzstephens says despite recent woes Fairfield  is a ‘sleeping giant’ and can win this season.

RedHawks  to attend Burke’s funeral
9:46 a.m.
College Insider -- West grad gets pin in his final home match for Ashland
2/9/10
Prep Briefs from Monday's games
2/9/10
Prep Boxscores from Monday''s games; Prep Schedule for Tuesday
2/9/10
Browns release WR Stallworth
2/8/10
> More sports headlines

By Rick Cassano, Staff Writer Updated 8:26 AM Thursday, July 23, 2009

FAIRFIELD — Nobody can put their finger on the exact reason why Fairfield High School’s football program has fallen on hard times in recent years, managing just two wins in the last three seasons.

But Aaron Fitzstephens plans to do something about it. Not next year. Not down the road. Right now.

“It’s nonstop, and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” said Fitzstephens, the Tribe’s first-year coach. “I wouldn’t say there’s pressure, but we know what we can do in Fairfield. Fairfield is the sleeping giant. This year, we’re laying the seeds to build a quality program.

“This is not a rebuilding project,” he continued. “I told the kids we’re not rebuilding, we’re winning now. I firmly believe that. There is a lot of excitement in the air.”

Fitzstephens, 30, is passionate about Fairfield football, and it’s no surprise.

He played for the Indians, graduated from FHS in 1998 and started coaching in the district at the age of 18. Fitzstephens spent the last three seasons as Scott Dattilo’s offensive line coach at Sycamore.

When Doc Gamble opted to leave Fairfield after one season, the general feeling was that the program needed somebody who bleeds Indian red. Somebody like Fitzstephens.

“The Fairfield football program has played a large part in who I am today,” he said. “I played for Jim Carty and Tom Grippa, and they were influences in my life. Right now, I’m trying to pay it forward. There’s a lot of coaches in the past that helped me become the man I am today.”

Fitzstephens has more than 100 players in grades 10 through 12, a fact that he calls “a victory in itself.”

He said trying to evaluate that many players on a daily basis isn’t easy.

“It’s not an exact science,” Fitzstephens said. “We’re constantly evaluating the kids and trying them here and there. Organization is very important. You just have to work hard and try to get a feel for where they should go.”

He likes his senior class, a group headed by University of Cincinnati recruit Arryn Chenault, a strong safety and wide receiver.

Offensively, Gamble’s fun-n-gun passing attack is history. Fitzstephens believes a sound offense starts with the ability to run the ball, and the Indians will be a multiple I-formation unit.

Asked how much Fairfield will pass this season, Fitzstephens said he can’t give a percentage at this point.

“I won’t know for sure until we really evaluate the kids,” he said. “But it will definitely be more of a balanced offense than they had last year.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2194 or rcassano@coxohio.com.

Aaron Fitzstephens

Fairfield coach

Share this article

ADD COMMENT

Comments feed

Actually, that would be FITZSTEPHENS.....

Ummm...
10:17 PM, 7/23/2009

REPORT ABUSE

Before you start supporting him, you need to learn his name... it's FITZSTEPHSONS you morons. Can't you even read????

Are you kidding?
10:15 PM, 7/23/2009

REPORT ABUSE

Good luck to Fairfield's football team and Coach Fitzsimmons. I wish you all the best and will be in the stands to watch every game. I'm ready to watch the Indians win!!

DL
8:47 PM, 7/23/2009

REPORT ABUSE

well, they have no where to go but up...

me
2:51 PM, 7/23/2009

REPORT ABUSE

My son attended the Fairfield 2-9 grade football camp with Coach Fitzstephens and I was very impressed with him and his team of coaches that were there. He shows more dedication then I have seen from past coaches. Good Luck Fairfield and the new coaching staff.

michelle
2:34 PM, 7/23/2009

REPORT ABUSE

There are 2 additional comments

SHOW ALL

We welcome your comments. Please remember this is a public forum and behave appropriately. Your comments must conform to our visitor's agreement.