Westerville North High School (WNHS) Principal Kurt Yancey today announced that Rodger Elander has submitted his resignation as Head Coach of the Varsity Football Program. Elander became the head football coach at WNHS in 2012, replacing Mike Owens, who resigned and became head football coach at Franklin Heights High School.
Both Yancey and WNHS Athletic Director Vicki Saunders expressed an appreciation for Elander’s dedication to the program for the past four seasons. Saunders said, “We appreciate all the time and effort he has given to the Westerville North community in his role as the Head Football Coach.”
Elander will remain a math teacher at the school, a position he’s held since 1992. Yancey noted that while Elander’s students have enjoyed individual success and recognition on and off the field, he also brought many positives to the overall football program during his coaching tenure.
“In addition to breaking a losing streak that began in 2008, Coach Elander changed the atmosphere of the Warrior Football Program,” Yancey said. “His player conditioning efforts and other initiatives such as the Lift-a-Thon that he began have helped strengthen our program.”
In his resignation letter, Elander cited numerous accomplishments during his coaching tenure, including increased participation numbers, no game cancellations at any level, more than half of his players earning Scholar Athlete status, and graduates pursuing the chance to play in college at all divisions.
“I hope you feel the program is in better shape than it was four years ago. Unfortunately not enough progress was made with the wins and losses,” Elander wrote. “Hopefully someone can come in with a fresh set of eyes and some new perspective to turn the corner regarding wins and losses. Thanks again for the chance.”
School officials hope to find a coaching replacement who is capable of carrying on the positive aspects Elander has brought to the program, growing young athletes into responsible young adults, and developing a program that maintains Westerville North’s spirit, pride and winning desire.