Lockland Local School District has hired Ryan Erkins as the new head football coach at Lockland High School. Erkins brings a decade of coaching experience and a passion for youth development to the Panthers’ football program.
A Cincinnati native, Erkins graduated from Walnut Hills High School in 2007, where he played football. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Mount Saint Joseph University and later achieved a Master of Science in coaching education from Ohio University.
Erkins’ coaching career began at St. Antoninus School, where he spent three years coaching junior high football. He then moved to the varsity level, serving as the quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator at Western Hills High School for three years.
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Following that, he took on similar roles at Finneytown High School before being promoted to assistant head coach during his last year.
Erkins has a strong foundation in behavioral health, having worked at Best Point (formerly The Children’s Home of Cincinnati) and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Partial Program in Mason. His experience working with youth in various capacities has shaped his coaching philosophy, emphasizing personal growth, teamwork, and resilience.
“I am thrilled to join the Lockland community and lead the Panthers’ football program,” said Erkins in a press release. “This is an amazing community with amazing kids full of potential waiting to be tapped. I’m excited to help them grow both on and off the field.”
Lockland athletic director Jon Payne said: “His passion and enthusiasm for developing students and athletes to be their best will serve our school community well. We are very excited to have Coach Erkins leading the football program and look forward to watching him make his mark on the program.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Lockland names Finneytown assistant new head football coach
