MADISON TOWNSHIP — Dave Stupka has a knack for rebuilding football programs and Madison could use a makeover.
Stupka was introduced as the Rams’ new coach Monday evening at the middle school. He replaces Jamie Masi, who stepped down after three seasons.
Madison was 0-10 last fall and 7-23 during Masi’s tenure. The Rams were outscored 485-128 last fall.
“Right now they’re a little beaten down with a lack of success over the past few seasons,” Stupka said. “It’s going to take some time. We’ve got to develop some confidence within the players.
“There’s talent here and it’s our job to put them in a position to show that.”
A native of Brook Park and a 1988 College of Wooster graduate, Stupka spearheaded overhauls at Bedford St. Peter Chanel in the mid-2000s and Lutheran West earlier this decade.
He spent the past three seasons at Elyria Catholic, guiding the Panthers to a 15-15 record. EC was 6-4 in 2015 and again in 2016, just missing Division V playoff berths each year, before dipping to 3-7 last fall. Four of Elyria Catholic’s seven losses were by five points or less.
Stupka was one of six candidates interviewed for the opening.
“We felt three of them were extremely good,” Madison athletic director Doug Rickert said. “Dave kind of stood out amongst the three as the guy Madison was looking for.
“He seemed like a guy who would relate well with the community and with our kids. His fire and his passion for football is something we really were looking for.”
Stupka’s best season as a head coach came at St. Peter Chanel in 2006. He piloted the Firebirds to a 9-1 record and the No. 1 seed in Division V, Region 18. For his efforts, Stupka was selected Ohio’s Division V Coach of the Year along with Warren JFK’s Tony Napolet.
So what drew Stupka to Madison?
“From the time I first came here, there was a different feeling in this community, very down-to-earth,” Stupka said. “I’m a down-to-earth person. I think it’s a tremendous fit.
“There are tremendous people here and we are very excited to get to work. It’s sort of like awakening a sleeping giant.”
