Brian Cross resigns as Canton McKinley football coach

Brian Cross has resigned as head football coach at Canton McKinley High School.

Cross, 56, has accepted a head football coaching and teaching position at a Columbus area high school named Olentangy Orange. Cross coached in the Columbus area for 18 years prior to arriving at McKinley.

“When my wife (Karen) and I looked down the road I really felt I would end up back in the Columbus area some day, whether it be as a coach or in retirement,” Cross said. “This opportunity came up and it was a very good situation. I get to open a new high school and build brand new traditions. That is something I have never had the opportunity to do and that is very exciting. It will be a challenge.”

“It’s a district that is in good shape finanically with several open teaching positions. It was just a situation I couldn’t pass up. My wife is from Grove City and she has a lot of family there. The timing was just good for us to make that move.”

Cross compiled a 41-21 record on five seasons at McKinley. The Bulldogs were Division I state runner-up once during his tenure and were also a state semifinalist once. He will stay at McKinley until June to lead the weightlifting program and help students.

“It was very difficult to leave Canton McKinley,” Cross said. “It has great tradition, great facilities and a strong community that supports high school football. During my time there I enjoyed working with our kids. The program was down a bit prior to my arrival and we got it going again and had some success. This past season was just a bad year. I think it was a situation where things just did not go our way. There will be a lot of kids coming back next year and I think the program will return to the top.”

McKinley will start a search for a new coach in January.

“I am sure there will be many candidates that will apply for the McKinley job,” Cross said. “When you hear those two words, ‘Canton McKinley’ you think of football, the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Fawcett Stadium.”