Fairfield-Echo.com

MIDDLETOWN — It's been a little more than a week since the four community groups completed their interviews of the five finalists for the Middletown High School head football coaching job.

All five coaches expressed their thoughts on the process Saturday, April 19.

"I enjoyed it," said Jason Krause, who has been the Monroe Hornets coach the last four seasons. "I looked at it as a great tool to learn more about what the community is looking for and the concerns they had.

"(My interview) lasted a little over two hours, but I felt comfortable with each committee," he continued. "Basically, it was a chance to talk about football, and I can do that all day."

The other four candidates — Chip Abele, Joel Lauer, Mike Mauk and David Pool — had similar experiences.

"It was outstanding," Mauk said. "I thought it was very creative and getting people involved that had good questions."

Mauk, who has been at Kenton High School for the last 25 years, said he hasn't done a lot of interviewing during that time, but felt the process was fair and thorough.

"I feel I was given a fair shot," he said. "I think it will be a great job for whomever they hire."

Abele, a Middie alumnus, agreed the process was fine, but said he got a little confused on whether he repeated himself by the time he was interviewed by the fourth committee.

"I had a lot of different thoughts in my mind that I wanted to make sure I got the points across," he said. "It was definitely a unique process. I enjoyed it."

Madison's Lauer said he got a good idea of what concerns people had about the program.

"This process gave me an idea of how well you have to involve yourself in the community," Lauer said. "I'm glad I got the opportunity to be part of it."

Pool, who comes from Harmony Community School, said it was an "unusual" process, but one he welcomed.

"Talking to four different groups, you had to go into it with a plan and just be open and honest," Pool said. "This is what I love doing, teaching young men about life skills."

Middletown Athletic Director Gary Lebo has said that the plan is to have someone in position to present to the school board at its next meeting April 28.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2852

or sweaver@coxohio.com.

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