High school football: East starts search for new head football coach

Published 4:13 pm Monday, December 11, 2023

Staff report

GRANITE QUARRY — East Rowan principal Tonya German announced on Monday that the school will be moving in a different direction with the football program.

The head coaching job has been posted for applicants, John Fitz, who has guided the Mustangs for seven seasons, including those difficult COVID days, is out as the head coach.

Fitz is a 35-year coaching veteran, with stints at the college and high school level. He served as defensive coordinator at Catawba College during Chip Hester’s head-coaching tenure.

East has struggled in football more often than not over the years.

The last seven seasons have been mostly challenging ones under Fitz, especially East’s three recent seasons in the South Piedmont Conference that have yielded records of 1-8, 1-9 and 0-10.

East won only against South Rowan in 2021 and 2022 and failed to win a game this season for the first time since 2003.

Fitz became head coach at East in 2017, after serving a stint as defensive coordinator. His best teams were the 2018 team that went 6-6 and the 2019 team that was 5-6.

His record at East is 18-52.

 “Even prior to his tenure as head coach, he earned the respect of our student-athletes, faculty, families and community,” German said in a statement.  “Coach Fitz  brought a wealth of knowledge and love for the game each day to the program.”

Fitz has enjoyed quite a bit of success as East’s track and field coach.

German said the plan is for him to continue in that capacity.

 “I know our players gained not only skills specific to the sport of football, but also skills to be successful in life,” German said. “Coach Fitz has made positive contributions to our football program and our school as a whole. While he will no longer be leading our football program, I know while Coach Fitz is at East Rowan he will continue to hold our athletes to high standards and promote growth for all students.”