Bryan Williams, Buchtel High School’s athletic director and head football coach, has been placed on administrative leave by Akron Public Schools. He wasn’t on the sidelines for last week’s 14-6 overtime win against Garfield, and he won’t be there this Saturday when Buchtel takes on East. But as shocking as that news is, it’s just one piece of a much larger, more devastating blow to the Griffins’ season.
The District Stays Silent, But a New Face Steps Up
Akron Public Schools isn’t saying much about why Williams is out. Joanne Isaac, APS assistant director of marketing and communications, confirmed the leave in an email, stating, “As this is a personnel matter, the District will not comment further on the circumstances or details.” That’s the official line. What we do know is that Tahj Dent has stepped in as interim head coach, a role he’ll continue in “pending further notice.” The District wants to ensure “continuity for our student-athletes and football program,” which is fair enough when your AD and head coach is suddenly gone. Williams, for his part, hasn’t returned messages from the Akron Beacon Journal.
Academic Ineligibility Wrecks Buchtel’s Season
This is where it gets really brutal. Before that Garfield game, Buchtel had to forfeit *four* wins. Four! Akron Public Schools self-reported to the OHSAA that both North and Buchtel had academically ineligible players on the field earlier this season. That means Buchtel’s wins over Mentor Lake Catholic, Cleveland Heights Lutheran East, and Firestone all became forfeit losses. And their win over North? That turned into a double forfeit because *both* teams had ineligible players. This isn’t just about losing games, it’s about seeing hard-fought victories wiped off the books. It leaves Buchtel heading into Week 10 with a 2-7 overall record and a 2-2 mark in the Akron City Series. Imagine playing your heart out, only for the wins to disappear like that.
A Legacy on Hold
Williams has been at the helm for six years, holding a 26-37 record overall as coach. He’s had some good runs too, guiding Buchtel to OHSAA playoff appearances in 2022, 2023, and 2024. The Griffins were Division IV, Region 13 semifinalists in 2022 and made the quarterfinals in 2023. He led Buchtel to an Akron City Series outright championship in 2022 and a shared title in 2023. Williams himself is a Buchtel alum, playing running back and defensive back, earning All-Ohio first-team honors. He was even an All-Mid-American Conference selection at the University of Akron. This isn’t just some new coach, this is a guy with deep roots and a history with the program.
So now Buchtel heads into Saturday’s 10 a.m. Week 10 game against East at Kenmore Stadium looking to salvage something from a season that’s taken a wild turn. With a 2-7 record and their head coach sidelined, you gotta wonder what the team is feeling and how Tahj Dent will guide them through this incredibly tough stretch. All eyes are on how they respond.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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