Dan Wagner agreed to step down as head coach of the Newport Central Catholic football program after compiling a 40-29 record over the last five seasons and taking three teams to the Class 2A state championship final.
Dan Wagner
Wagner, a 1978 graduate of Newport Catholic, began his coaching career at the school in 1980 and was the defensive coordinator prior to becoming head coach in 2013. He met with the current NewCath players on Wednesday and announced he would not be returning for the 2018 season.
“I value my many years of coaching at NCC and having had the privilege to work with so many fine young men,” Wagner said in an email released by the school. “My heart will always be here, yet it is time to step aside and pursue other interests. I believe the great tradition that is Newport Central Catholic football will continue for years to come.”
In Wagner’s first three years as head coach, NewCath was state runner-up in Class 2A. The Thoroughbreds lost close games in the third round of the 2016 playoffs and the second round of this year’s playoffs. Wagner’s teams had a 15-5 record in playoff games over the last five seasons.
“Dan has been a long time coach for many years and we appreciate and thank him for his commitment to NCC and dedication to our student athletes,” NewCath principal Ron Dawn said in the email released by the school. “As he pursues other opportunities, we know his love for and service to the NewCath community will continue.”
The process of hiring a new football coach is already underway, according to the school’s email. Wagner said he has been contacted by head coaches at other Northern Kentucky high schools offering him a position on their staffs for next season, but he’s going to take some time before he makes any decisions on his future.
NewCath will have several key players returning from this year’s 6-6 team that lost to Glasgow, 27-20, in the second round of the Class 2A playoffs. One of them is junior running back/linebacker Kyle Kelly, who rushed for 1,162 yards, scored 18 touchdowns and made 72 tackles. Both of the team’s quarterbacks, Hunter Cain and Paul Kramer, are also underclassmen. Cain and sophomore Dan Craig ranked among the leading tacklers on defense along with Kelly.
“There certainly is a lot of talent among the players, and I wish them all the best now and with their future,” Wagner said.
NewCath is the second Northern Kentucky high school football team making a coaching change during the off-season. Newport Independent Schools is taking applications to replace Tim Viox, who stepped down after the Wildcats compiled a 4-29 record over the last three seasons.
