Medomak Valley High School athletic director Matt Lash announced this week that Ryan Snell has been hired as Medomak Valley High School’s first varsity football coach.
Snell is no stranger to the Medomak Youth Football program, having led the grade 9 to 12 team for the past three years.
“Ryan has the knowledge and background, a clear vision and the work ethic needed to build a varsity program, and above all, the leadership qualities needed to develop student-athletes,” Lash said.
Lash commended Snell for being a positive role model and quickly establishing high expectations for his players. “His priorities are where they should be for a high school program,” Lash said.
Medomak played in the Little Ten Conference last year, where they held their own as a club sport, both with their play of the team and sportsmanship.
Participation numbers in the program are strong and Lash expects about 50 players to be involved in the high school program this fall.
Snell said he and his coaching staff are “extremely excited for the upcoming season. It’s quite something to see where we are at as a program in our fourth year at the high school level.”
Medomak will compete in the Little Ten Conference, or LTC, in East Class D for the next two years. “It’s a very competitive league, and has some of the best coaches and tradition rich programs in the state,” Snell said. “We’re expecting to be competitive week in and week out. We know there will be tough games for us, but there will also be some we will be right in. If the kids compete and work hard, the rest will fall into place.”
“We’re excited for the kids and the community most of all. These kids have worked hard to get the program where it is today. Now they’ll be able to be recognized at the same level as their peers in other sports with our varsity status.”
Snell commended the community and local businesses that have been tremendously supportive of the program and are “excited for varsity football to be here,” Snell said.
“I’m proud to be the first varsity coach at MVHS but there are so many people who have been part of this, namely Naomi and Fritz Miller who started this program,” he said. “Their continued tireless work makes this whole thing go. Also assistant high school coaches Jason Stewart, Brandon Brents, and Robert Daigle, and Matt Lash who has been tremendous as we continue the transition to being a full school sport.”
