HIGHLAND HORNETS FOOTBALL CLUB
OUR COACHES
VARSITY COACHES
Branding
Mike Gibbons, Head Coach/Offensive Cordinator
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Physical Education Teacher at Highland (Teach Speed/Strength For Athletes)
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Going into 20th year coaching Football
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Going into 14th season coaching at Highland
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(2007-2009) Assistant at Highland
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(2015- Present) Head Coach at Highland
Married To Rachael with 4 children. Lainey (13) Cael (11) Molly (9) Nora (5)
Dominic Lombardi - Corners/Recivers
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3rd Grade Teacher at Granger Elementary
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4 years of coaching- First year at Highland
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Strongsville HS Freshman Asst. (2021-2022)-
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Keystone HS Varsity Asst. (2023-2025)
Girlfriend Maddie, no kids yet but a bunny, Chester
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Tristan Endo- Defensive Line Coach
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Highland Graduate Class of 2009
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Played for Coach Gibbons in 2007, 2008 and Coach Howard 06-08
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4th year coaching, all at Highland
USMC vet, no kids but have a lizard, Twitch
Kenny Fritz- Offensive Line Coach
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Brunswick Graduate ‘15
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7th year coaching football
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‘16-’17 Brunswick, ‘17-’19 Highland ‘20-’22 Amherst
Husband to Erika, with a baby girl on the way in August
Mike Nettling- Special Teams, Safeties Coordinator
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Going into 14th year coaching Football
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Previous positions at Walsh Jesuit, John Carroll University, Wren HS (SC)
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Going into 8th season at Highland
Married To Meagan with 2 children. Kennedy (6) Luke (4)
Nate Bracy - Running Backs
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Special Education Teacher
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Going into my 9th season of coaching, 2nd year at highland
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Previous positions at Marysville, Dublin Jerome, Barberton, and Strongsville
Married to McKenna with two sons Teddy and Matthias. Third son on the way due in November.
Chris Meyer- Defensive Coordinator
Linebackers
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English Teacher at Highland High School
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Going into 15th year coaching Football
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Going into 10h season coaching at Highland (2013 - Present)
Married to Kristen with 4 children. Braeden and Kellen (10), Maggie and Averie (8) all attend Sharon Elementary.
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Jordan Gribble- Wide Receivers
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12th year coaching Football
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(2010-2011) Brunswick, (2012-2014) Beachwood.
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Heading into 8th year at Highland (2015- present)
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10th season under Coach Gibbons.
Fiancé to Caitlyn with one crazy 3 year old daughter, Aaliyah.
JV COACHES
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Jordan Gribble- Head Coach, Offensive Cordinator
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12th year coaching Football
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(2010-2011) Brunswick, (2012-2014) Beachwood.
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Heading into 8th year at Highland (2015- present)
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10th season under Coach Gibbons.
Fiancé to Caitlyn with one crazy 1 year old daughter, Aaliyah.
Tristan Endo- Defensive Line Coach
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Highland Graduate Class of 2009
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Played for Coach Gibbons in 2007, 2008 and Coach Howard 06-08
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4th year coaching, all at Highland
USMC vet, no kids but have a lizard, Twitch
Kenny Fritz- Defensive Line Coach, Tight Ends
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Brunswick Graduate ‘15
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7th year coaching football
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‘16-’17 Brunswick, ‘17-’19 Highland ‘20-’22 Amherst
Husband to Erika, with a baby girl on the way in August
FRESHMAN COACHES
Nate Howard - Head Coach
Offensive coordinator/QB
Physical Education Teacher Highland High School / Middle School
Have been coaching football at Highland since 2004
Highland Head Lacrosse Coach
Married to Katie (22 years) 3 kids-Jack (HHS class of 2024), Eli (HHS class of 2026), Annie (HHS class of 2029)
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Chris Wooley - Assistant Coach
Defensive Coordinator/DB/WR
St. Vincent-St. Mary Graduate 2001
Graduate of Akron University: Bachelors of Eduction
Masters in Educational Leadership from American College of Education
Current Intervention Specialist at Highland Middle School
8 years Coaching Experience
Firestone High School-Akron Public Schools
Garfield Heights City Schools
Highland High School
Married to Christine and Father of two current Highland Students; Jameson (9th) and Owen (4th) at Sharon Elementary.
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Jay Grissom - Offensive/Defensive Line Coach​​
Norton HS Grad (2000)
Going into 7th season coaching football
(2003-2006) Chippewa HS -
Varsity Tight Ends / Defensive Line as well as Defensive Coordinator
(2022) Highland Middle School
(2024-present) Highland Freshman
Highland HS Baseball Coach since 2006
Highland Head Varsity Baseball Coach 2013- present
Husband to Amy, with 3 kids, all Highland alum
Abby (‘18) Ben (‘21) Matt (‘25)
Jake Malbasa - Offensive and Defensive Line
Avon Lake HS Class of 2020
Kent State University 2025 - Bachelor of Science in Education (Social Studies 7-12)
Highland High School long term substitute teacher
Revere Coach - 1 year
Highland Coach - 1st year
I love working out. I played oline and dline in high school
Ryan Harper- Running backs/linebackers
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SUPPORTING STAFF
John Bruketa- Athletic Trainer
Employment: Akron Children’s Hospital 2016-Present
Education: University of Mount Union: 2011-2015 Major: Athletic Training, Minor: Exercise Science
Certifications: Athletic Trainer and Orthopedic Physician Extender
Experience:
-Going into my 7th year as an athletic trainer
-Highland HS: 2020-Present
-Akron North HS: 2016-2020
-University of Akron (Women’s Lacrosse): 2020 season
-I have also helped for extended periods at Archbishop Hoban, Akron East and Kenmore High Schools
Outside of work I care for my mom, tinker around with my jeep and boat, I have a chihuahua husky mix named Leo