Kevin Huntley knows what it looks like among the best football players in the world.
He found the spotlight as a college player at Wisconsin. Born in Fremont, he played all the positions at some point while at St. Joseph Central Catholic.
Huntley takes the helm as Port Clinton football coach.
“I have a great opportunity to take over a program on the rise,” he said. “This is a great opportunity, a great program, a great community.”
Huntley was Eric Leuthold’s defensive coordinator at Port Clinton last season. Leuthold is the new head coach at Clyde.
Huntley coached safeties two years ago, upon his return to Ohio. Port Clinton finished 7-5 last season, including a postseason shutout of Edison.
“It was a complete surprise,” Huntley said of Leuthold’s transition. “I was fortunate to be part of the staff. He welcomed me to the community and onto his staff.”
Of course, continuity has advantages.
“It reduces the amount of catch-up being familiar with the staff and players,” Huntley said. “That transition phase is reduced to some degree.”
Huntley was head coach at Nova High School in Florida for seven years until 2022. Nova advanced to the postseason twice, including a district crown.
He was an assistant at Nova for three years and coached receivers at Everglades High School in Florida for one year prior.
“I bring experience, a different perspective,” he said. “Coaching in south Florida, that talent brings a unique perspective. My experience as a player adds to that.”
He learned how to be a manager in Florida.
“Everything that goes into it, besides the Xs and Os,” he said. “The staff. The personalities. The community. All the nuanced pieces to wearing the head coach hat.”
Huntley made the roster for the Kansas City Chiefs but an ankle injury sent him to injured reserve just before the season and prevented him from continuing his career in the NFL. He was a starter all four years at Wisconsin, including a touchdown against Ohio State.
“At the Shoe,” he said. “It goes without saying, Ohio State is a special place to play, if you’re from Ohio or not. They were No. 2 or 3 in the country. We played there my freshman year and got the doors blown off. We wanted to make a better statement as a junior.
“It went down to the wire; they got one in late. It’s always great to come back and play in a place you’re familiar with. I was fortunate to get the ball into the end zone with the people who support me there to witness it.”
Huntley was also on top of the state when he established Ohio records in the 110 and 300 hurdles as a junior for the Crimson Streaks. The marks stood for more than 20 years.
“Those were mine for a while,” Huntley said.
He continued his track career at Wisconsin as well, helping the Badgers win cross country, indoor track and outdoor track in the Big Ten his first three seasons. He also competed on the 4×100 relay.
In addition to his versatility moving around the field for three seasons at SJCC — before graduating in 1994 — Huntley was a receiver as a freshman for the Badgers, shifted to free safety for two years and returned to receiver his last season.
“I’ve had to study both sides of the ball,” he said. “I can help the student athletes with my experience on both sides. On offense, I can share some nuanced pieces to study. Same thing for the defensive players. I have a unique perspective.”
mhorn@gannett.com
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This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: New Port Clinton football coach Kevin Huntley has unique perspective
Reporting by Matthew Horn, Fremont News-Messenger / Fremont News-Messenger
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
