Coaches offer crystal ball for fall on MJT Podcast

The Marysville Journal-Tribune podcast has evolved since its inception in 2021.

Originally promoted as a way for local sportswriters to convene and chat about Friday night football games, the MJT Podcast also dives into news topics and local interviews.

A year after starting, sportswriters have previewed the upcoming gridiron seasons inviting local head football coaches to voice their thoughts on the road ahead.

This season is no different as the podcast pivots to a football-centric vibe.

There are fresh aspects to the 2024 fall season which include two new head coaches for Jonathan Alder and Marysville.

Mike Young, a previous co-defensive coordinator, was the first of five interviews done this season. He enters his first time as a head coach for the Monarchs as they embark into a new season with a new gridiron boss.

In his preseason interview, Young introduces himself once again detailing his coaching experience and how that will help him dive into the 2025 season.

“I think it’s hugely beneficial,” Young said about his experience. “I just don’t coach here. I live here. I’ve lived here the whole time.”

He also detailed his philosophy about the team and what it will look like later down the road.

“We’re trying to build a family here, not just a football team,” Young said. “But that’s what we want our culture to be about. So then when you look out there and you see those guys that have been invested for a number of years, you know they have your back.”

The Pioneers of Plain City also have a new head coach in Brett Glass. The 12-year head football coach began as the head coach for Pioneers before taking the job at Dublin Jerome for four seasons. Now, he is back with the Scarlet and Black for the 2025 season.

Glass returns to Plain City taking over the head coaching position for Nate Snedeker.

Other head football coaches are also looking to improve from last season’s performance.

After contesting for an Ohio Heritage Conference title in 2024, Fairbanks head coach Dave Carroll is hoping to get back to where his Panthers left off.

The Panthers graduated 15 seniors from last year’s OHC runner up squad.

“For those guys last year, they were a great group of young men and tremendous athletes,” Carroll said. “I have to give them a lot of credit because especially when a new guy comes in… it was hard and you went through growing pains.”

Some have experience while others are fresh when it comes to high school football. Carroll listed in his interview who he believes will be difference makers this season.

The incoming freshmen went undefeated as eighth graders are seemingly ready for the spotlight.

“They are very good athletes,” Carroll said while acknowledging the difficulties they will experience coming onto the high school gridiron. “It’s hard for any age. When you are a freshman and you are asked to do things you’ve never been asked to do and the pressures that you have of varsity football; you have to be mentally strong.”

Triad’s football team is also preparing for a new season after graduating key standouts like Awsom Mitchell and Cayden Everhart. Some others are gearing up to fill in where other have left off.

Specifically, head coach Mike Braun noted four players in his podcast interview. Incoming juniors De’Von Minor, Colton Thomas, Blayk Thomas and incoming senior Brodey Hess are among those looking to make names for themselves.

“Of these juniors, I think seven of them played varsity as freshmen,” Mike Braun said about this year’s junior glass. “They have taken their lumps.”

Braun detailed what the offensive and defensive philosophy will be when the season starts.

“I think this year, you are going to see us get under center more,” he said. “Sometimes the philosophy is the best defense is an offense that can control the ball.”

Braun acknowledges the limited roster the 2025 Cardinals have this season and shared how difficult it is giving starters proper rest during games.

“We are a small school and kids we think are getting rest, they are playing on offense too,” he commented.

North Union will also be a part of the podcast this season as Nick Hajjar guides the Wildcats into the 2025 season. The program graduated six seniors from last season with nine incoming seniors, former juniors, looking to take over veteran roles on the team.

Those interested in listening to more about the coaches and their outlooks on the season can find the MJT Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or most popular streaming platforms.

Conversations with Coaches will upload until Aug. 21 and from that point on, the MJT sportswriters will recap Friday games the week after they are played.

The podcast is sponsored by Acciona Energía and Newspapers.com.