Elyria Catholic High School's head football coach departed for its crosstown rival earlier this season, but it turned to a trio of Buckeyes to fill their vacancies.
It was announced Thursday that former Ohio State Buckeyes guard Chase Farris will be the Panthers' next head coach, Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith will serve as the offensive coordinator and Doran Grant is set to be the defensive coordinator.
An Elyria, OH. native, this will be Farris' coaching debut after signing as an undrafted free agent with the Detroit Lions in 2016. After being waived by the Lions for the second time Sept. 21, 2016, he signed with the New England Patriots where he spent two off-and-on seasons with the team.
He also played for the Atlanta Legends of the now-ceased Alliance of American Football, as well as with the DC Defenders of the XFL.
Farris and Grant both saw the field for the Buckeyes in the inaugural College Football Playoff National Championship victory over Oregon. Grant had five tackles and one for loss against the Ducks.
Grant, a former Ohio State captain and Akron, OH. native, was the cornerbacks coach for Pickerington North High School in the Columbus area.
His senior season in 2014, Grant had five interceptions — which was second most on the Buckeyes that year — rounding out his career with nine picks. Grant racked up 140 tackles in his career.
Smith won the Heisman Trophy in 2006 behind a 2,542 yards and 30 touchdowns, which was the school's program record at the time, leading the Buckeyes to a national championship appearance.
The Cleveland native played four seasons in the NFL — three with the Baltimore Ravens and one with the San Francisco 49ers.
Smith spent one season with the Omaha Nighthawks of the former United Football League, two seasons with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League and six months of the 2012 offseason with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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