Jonathan Alder head football coach Brett Glass, right, gives sideline instructions in this file photo. Pending approval by the Dublin Jerome board of education, Glass will become the Celtics’ new coach. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
Pending board approval
Pending approval by the school’s board of education, Jonathan Alder football boss Brett Glass will soon become the new head gridiron coach at Dublin Jerome High School.
Jerome’s board of education will meet Monday evening, according to Glass during Thursday afternoon’s telephone interview with the Journal-Tribune.
Glass, who is currently a science instructor at Jonathan Alder High School, will also join the Jerome faculty in its Academic Service Center.
“In that position, I will tutor students and help them keep up with their work,” he said.
Glass is a 2003 graduate of Jonathan Alder, where he played football (wide receiver and defensive back) and baseball.
He went on to play football at Otterbein University.
Glass joined the Pioneer football staff in 2008 and served as defensive coordinator for five seasons.
He took over as head coach prior to the 2014 campaign.
Glass led Alder to a great deal of success during his seven seasons at the helm.
The Pioneers posted a 58-17 record (.773 winning percentage) and earned five trips to the state playoffs.
Glass said leaving Jonathan Alder, where he is also an assistant baseball coach, was a difficult decision to make.
“This is where I’ve always considered home,” he said, “and leaving here is tough.
“However, I’m going to be leaving on very good terms.”
Glass met with his Pioneer squad on Wednesday to break the news.
“It was a very emotional talk because I care about all these guys and Jonathan Alder,” he said. “However, this is a tremendous opportunity for me to move up the coaching ranks.”
The Celtics are a Division I football program, while the Pioneers moved between D-III and IV during Glass’ tenure as head coach.
“It’s a jump up, but I feel I’m ready for it,” he said. “Kids are kids, football is football and coaching is coaching.
“There is no rebuild needed at Dublin Jerome,” said Glass. “They went 10-2 with a playoff berth in 2019 and they have talent coming back.
“Dublin Jerome expects a lot from its students both academically and athletically,” he said.
Glass will replace Bob Gecewich, who left Dublin Jerome to take the head coaching position at Perry High School in his native northeast Ohio.
“Bob did a great job with the Jerome program,” said Glass.
Gecewich held the Celtic position for six seasons.
During that time, the team posted a 39-23 overall record and a 28-10 mark in the Ohio Capital Conference.
Jerome captured three OCC championships during his tenure.
The program also earned four playoff berths during his stint.
The Celtics reached the regional semifinals in 2016 and 2019.
Glass won’t have to uproot his family since Jerome is just a few miles from Plain City on Route 161.
“We’re still going to be close to home and I think it’s going to be a good fit for me,” he said.
Glass feels the Jonathan Alder football position will attract a number of quality candidates.
“This is a very good job and it will attract a lot of interest,” he said.