Ex-Middie star pursues coaching

Hunter spent years playing professional football, now looks to lead Middletown squad.


Nic Black, St. Paris Graham head coach

Scott Killen, Clinton-Massie defensive coordinator

Bill Mottola, Miami University assistant coach (2009-10)

Jackie Cooper, Stillman College assistant coach

Mike Davis, Grant County (Ky.) head coach

Howard Feggins, South Carolina State assistant coach

Darrell Hunter, Middletown graduate and professional athlete

Larry Getts, Wayne (Ind.) High School

Brian Staats, College of Wooster assistant coach

Matthew Louis, Muskingum University assistant coach

Lamanzer Williams, Muskegon Heights (Mich.) assistant coach

Thomas Blumette Sr., University of the Cumberlands assistant coach

Jason Lucas, Coal Grove High School assistant coach

James R. Clark, Wittenberg University assistant coach

Luther Justus, Palm Springs (Fla.) High School head coach

Michael Chiurco, Cuyahoga Falls assistant coach

Eric Sholtis, Kentucky Christian assistant coach

Walker Graher, Ashland University assistant coach

Chris Wells, Middletown graduate and former Hamilton High School assistant coach

MIDDLETOWN — Darrell Hunter continues to pursue a career in football, but this time as a coach.

Hunter, a 2002 Middletown High School graduate who played four years of college football and spent several years playing professionally, is among 19 people so far who have applied to be the Middies’ next head coach.

“I’ve always wanted to get into coaching,” Hunter said. “And this is a perfect opportunity for me to do that and give back to my community and high school.

“It meant everything to me,” he continued about his days running up and down the field at Barnitz Stadium. “It was the foundation of what I have been able to accomplish in life. Being able to go to college and to the pros, I never forgot what helped me get where I am today.”

Hunter was a three-year letterwinner at Middletown, earning first-team All-Greater Miami Conference and all-district honors as a senior. At Miami University, Hunter was a three-year starter at defensive back where he totaled 121 tackles and eight interceptions.

Hunter went undrafted in 2006, but signed to play professionally with the Arizona Cardinals. He also spent time with Tampa Bay, Indianapolis and New Orleans during his NFL career. He also played one year in the United Football League.

MHS Athletic Director Gary Lebo called Hunter a “great alumnus and ambassador to Middletown High School and the community.”

The application deadline is Feb. 11, according to Lebo, although he added resumes will be accepted until the position is filled.

Other notables who have applied so far include Middletown graduate Chris Wells and St. Paris Graham head coach Nic Black, a former assistant coach at Springboro who applied for the Middie job three years ago.

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ontact this reporter at (513) 705-2852

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r sweaver@coxohio.com.

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