Galion City Schools were down to the final three candidates for the Galion Tigers head football coach position.

Superintendent James Grubbs made the announcement at the Galion-Crestline Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2016 Economic Forecast & Business Update Breakfast on Tuesday.

They include in no particular order:

• Jim Stoyle of Centerburg is the head football coach and health/physical education teacher at Centerburg High School with 28 years experience in coaching football. He has a master’s degree in sports management from the California University of Pennsylvania.

• Craig E. Wenning of Minster is the owner of CDW Renovations. He has 13 years experience as a varsity assistant football coach. He earned a degree in industrial technology from Ohio Northern University in 2000.

• Robert L. Mahaney of Jeromesville is the head football coach of Mapleton High School in Ashland. He teaches seventh grade social studies at Mapleton Middle School. He earned a degree in education from Ashland University and has eight years experience in football coaching.

Thomas Kaskey of Wheelersburg was originally among the three candidates, but he withdrew his application for personal reasons. The district is contacted Mahaney Thursday evening to inform he was up for consideration again.

Galion Athletic Director Kyle Baughn said he was happy with the hiring process. He received 27 applicants, which were narrowed down to six candidates. The six were interviewed by a five-member team, which included a parent, a coach, a teacher, an administrator and Baughn.

Baughn said it was “pretty powerful” to know what everyone was thinking during the process. He said hiring the head football coach was a lot more challenging this time around since the position is more desirable.

Although the school district does not intend to create a teaching position, Baughn said, they are considering the candidate’s strengths in the classroom and how they match up with any available positions.

The final candidate may be recommended to the Galion Board of Education at a regular meeting on March 17, but Galion Athletic Director Kyle Baughn said he’s not confident with the date.

“We’re not going to rush it,” he said.

The selected candidate will replace Chris Hawkins who took the same position at Ontario High School earlier this year.

Galion and Ontario will become conference rivals in the 2017-18 school year after the latter’s school board approved to join the Mid Ohio Athletic Conference in March.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2016/03/web1_galionnorthunion3-3.jpgBrandon Klein | Galion Inquirer

By Brandon Klein

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Reach Klein at 419-468-1117, ext. 2048 or on Twitter at @brandoneklein.