CLEVELAND — Chuck Kyle, one of the winningest coaches in OHSAA history, announced Monday he intends to retire as head coach of the St. Ignatius football program after next season.
Kyle has won 369 games in 39 seasons as St. Ignatius’ head coach. Prior to his time as head coach, he was an assistant coach for 11 seasons. The 2022 season will be Kyle’s 40th and final as head coach.
Ryan Franzinger was named the associate head coach for 2022 and will assume head coaching duties in 2023.
During Kyle’s tenure, St. Ignatius won 11 OHSAA state titles. St. Ignatius also claims four unofficial national titles during his stint.
Kyle was named the Nike National Coach of the Year in 2001 and Schutt National Coach of the Year in 2008.
“Honestly, in a humble way, everyone, when it’s time to leave, should leave a place better than what it was when they first came,” Kyle said. “It’s a better place now. I think it is.”
In addition to stepping away from football, he is also retiring as an English teacher and track and field coach with the high school.
“His impact on Saint Ignatius High School is immeasurable,” said Athletic Director Rory Fitzpatrick. “Chico’s impact, certainly as a teacher, but as a coach coming together with the group of guys he gathered together, it’s one of those special moments where a lot of things came together at one time. And Chico was the leader of the football program at that time and with his guidance and his leadership that great group of people did great things.”
Franzinger, an alum of St. Ignatius, earned a scholarship with Ohio State in his senior season.
