Middletown names new varsity football coach

Middletown High School has selected a head football coach from inside the Greater Miami Conference.

The school announced Wednesday that Princeton defensive coordinator Don Simpson is the Middies’ new coach, pending school-board approval Dec. 18.

“Coach Simpson brings a tremendous amount of passion and enthusiasm with him to Middletown,” Middletown athletic director Aaron Zupka said. “He is a kid-first guy and understands the importance of building positive relationships with our students, parents, and community.

“He has been a part of many other successful programs and will have an immediate impact working with our student-athletes to help them achieve their goals. I am confident his leadership will help bring on a resurgence to the Middletown football program.”

Simpson replaces Lance Engleka, who resigned after two seasons and a 1-19 mark.

»RELATED: Former Middie coach cites ‘death threats’ in resignation

Simpson, 43, is a 1992 Warren G. Harding High School graduate who grew up in Warren and went on to play defensive back for Rick Minter at the University of Cincinnati. He earned a criminal justice degree at UC in 1997.

His coaching career includes four years at Norwood (2006-09), six years at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (2010-15), one year at Deer Park (2016) and one year at Princeton (2017). The Middletown job is his first head coaching position.

“I am very excited about becoming part of the Middie family. To have the opportunity to help students reach their full potential on and off the field is a responsibility I take very seriously,” Simpson said. “I’m looking forward to joining the Middletown team and getting to work.”

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