GREENVILLE – Greenville Athletic Director, Aaron Shaffer introduced Sean Ford as the new head varsity football coach for the Greenville Green Wave football program at a Wednesday night meeting with players and parents.
“We received over 20 applicants and after viewing the candidates we offered interviews to six candidates, after the first round we paired it down to two and Coach Ford was the choice,” Shaffer said. “After a thorough search, I am confident we landed on a good coach.”
“Coach is well versed in defensive play but I was impressed with offensive and special teams knowledge as well,” Shaffer added. “He is young but he has a great vision for what Greenville football will be.”
Although 28 years of age, Ford brings a storied football background and experience to the Wave program including being named Miami Valley Football Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year.
Ford was a senior captain playing for the Tippecanoe Red Devils and a three-year starter on three playoff teams with a combined 29-6 record. He was a two-time All-Conference cornerback, a Special Mention Southwest Ohio All-District cornerback, and set two offensive receiving school records.
“I’m a leader,” Ford told the parents and athletes at the Wednesday night meeting. “When I played football I was a captain of football and basketball, I love taking charge of things and getting people to come with me, I am very demanding but passionate. I love the kids.”
Ford has served as an assistant football coach at Bethel, Tippecanoe, and Tri-Village for a combined total of six years in a variety of roles with the teams going 44-18 including three playoff appearances and four playoff victories.
“I’m a teacher – I think that is an underrated aspect of coaching,” said Ford explained. “The best coaches are teachers. It doesn’t matter what I know, it’s what I can get you to know. I pride myself not only that but I’m also a learner and I am a teacher, a player’s coach.”
“I’ve put on the helmet, I’ve put on the shoulder pads. I think youth is a benefit to me, that’s an asset, I can relate to these kids and nowadays that is very important.”
“My overall mission is to encourage kids to excellence on the football field and learn those skills that you can later add to those things in life,” he added. “I expect all players to act responsibly, respectfully, and with integrity and honesty at all times on and off the field.”
Coach Ford has served as a Defensive Coordinator, Special Teams Coordinator, Defensive Backs Coach, Linebackers Coach, Wide Receivers Coach, and Running Backs Coach while serving as an assistant coach at three schools.
“I have been preparing myself for this opportunity for a long time now,” said Ford. “I’ve always wanted to be a head coach, I’ve always had aspirations and I have worked to prepare myself for this position so when the position was announced I jumped on it immediately not only because I believe in myself but I believe in the Greenville kids, I believe in the Greenville community and I think there is a lot of potential here to make some improvements.”
“Getting back to the fundamentals is going to be key to our success. If the kids want to improve and there is a will to improve that is half the battle itself. Being able to step into a role of harnessing that potential and coaching them up on some fundamentals and trying to take them to the next step is very doable here.”
“My football vision, No. 1 be smart and No. 2 be disciplined. Most of the time people beat themselves. If you can do what you’re supposed to do, more often than the other team you’re going to give yourself the best opportunity to win so discipline is critical to success not only on the football field but in life. The key thing here is making sure you’re putting the kids in the best opportunity to succeed and if you do that the talent will be there and it will take care of itself.”
“The kids that were here tonight are the example – the example they set walking the halls, the enthusiasm they bring and show about the new football program it’s going to sell itself because there is going to be a lot of belief, be a lot of enthusiasm but it’s going to take a lot of work,” said Ford. “I want kids that want to be here, who want to compete, who believe that we can succeed and who believe in each other, want to be a part of something special.”
Coach Ford’s Mission Statement:
My mission is to encourage young men to pursue excellence on the football field, and in that process, to teach them life lessons and to help them make memories that last a lifetime.
Coach Ford’s Vision Statement:
When a player hangs up his helmet for the last time, my vision is for him to be able to say that his experience as a high school football player was worth it because it made him a better person and it gave him a lot of great times with his friends, family, and community.
Coach Ford’s Values Statement:
The values of my program are pride, brotherhood, and loyalty because I want the players to grow in their confidence, to feel connected to their teammates, and be committed to the team.
“Green Wave Football will be smart, disciplined, and tough” – Coach Sean Ford.
