Mac Stephens is new CHHS head football coach

Mac Stephens, new Heights High head football coach.

The Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District, with the help of a volunteer search committee, selected Mac Stephens as its new head football coach, from 51 applicants. He replaces Jeff Rotsky, who recently accepted the head football coach position for Euclid.

A former NFL player, Stephens has 12 years of experience coaching high school football. Most recently, Stephens served as the defensive line/outside linebacker coach for Euclid High School (2008–14). He was also defensive line/defensive coordinator for Glenville High School (2006–07), linebacker coach for Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School (2005), assistant offensive line coach for Euclid High School (2004), and head coach of Lutheran High School East (2003).

Currently, Stephens serves as the director of recreation for the City of Euclid—a position he’s held since 2004, and he is also president of North Coast Youth Football Conference. Stephens coaches Amateur Athletic Union track and basketball at the middle school level. 

“Mr. Stephens exemplifies all of the characteristics and qualifications we sought when we began our search for a coach: he has many years of leadership and managerial experience, he is passionate about mentoring players both on and off the field, and, most importantly, he knows the game and is ready to take our team to the next level,” said Kristin Hughes, athletic director.

Stephens began playing football at the age of 8, and continued to play at the NFL level. He was drafted, but eventually cut, by the New England Patriots, and went on to play one year with the New York Jets and then one year with the Minnesota Vikings. He is a graduate of Firestone High School in Akron.

“Since the time I was a young child, football has been an extremely important part of my life, so accepting the head coach position at this district is a dream come true,” said Stephens. “I look forward to leading this team to new heights and serving young people like so many coaches did for me as a young man.”