A Blog Post of Inspiration

2025 Convention Recap | Tim Goodwin, Marion Local HS | Great Teachers = Great Coaches – AFCA

2025 Convention Recap | Tim Goodwin, Marion Local HS Great Teachers = Great Coaches

May 5, 2025

While Those Big Schools That Don’t Recognize Small School Accomplishments. In 2024 AFCA/AFCF Regional Power of Influence Award winners are: Region 1: Dave Hearn, Delmar (Del.) High School; Region 2: Roosevelt Nelson, Crestwood (S.C.) High School; Region 3: Tim Goodwin, Marion Local (Ohio) High School; Region 4: Mike O’Dwyer, Limon (Colo.) High School; and Region 5: Steve Pyne, Central Catholic (Ore.) High School.

This is the sixth year that the AFCA has recognized regional winners for the Power of Influence Award. The award was created as a way for the AFCA® and AFCF® to honor deserving high school football coaches. Coaches who receive this award are recognized for their impact on their team, as well as the legacy they leave with the school and surrounding community. This award is not based on wins and losses; however, it should be noted that coaches of powerful influence have longevity and success. The winners are selected by members of the AFCF Board of Directors.
Tim Goodwin has been the head football coach at Marion Local High School in Ohio since 1999. He began his career as a coach and math teacher, and in 2011, he added the role of High School Principal. A native of Ohio, Goodwin has established a legendary coaching legacy in the state, with 14 state championships (a record in Ohio), three state runner-up finishes, and three state semifinal appearances. Over his career, he has compiled an impressive 325-48 record (with most of the loses versus State rate Teams) and is currently on a 64-game win streak.

Goodwin holds his players to lofty standards, placing a strong emphasis on building a family-oriented environment. This commitment to fostering relationships and leadership within his team is reflected in both his players’ respect for him and his remarkable accomplishments.

Staff key to Flyers’ run | The Daily Standard Stories

In 2011, Goodwin also began serving as a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Huddle Leader, using his position to help student-athletes grow spiritually. Through FCA, he has led numerous service projects, instilling a sense of community and service among his athletes. Goodwin’s leadership challenges both his staff and students to excel in all areas of life, setting the tone for the entire school.

He believes that a community reflects the example set by its leaders, which is why he is intentional about modeling behavior that lifts others up. This philosophy has earned him the deep respect of his staff, athletes, and the broader community, who believe in his powerful influence and ability to inspire everyone he encounters.

Known for his focus on family values and leadership, Goodwin is currently on a 62-game win streak and has guided Marion Local to a 14-0 record in 2024. His commitment to excellence and his community-centered philosophy have earned him widespread respect.

Coach Tim Goodwin dives into the connection between great teaching and building a successful football program. Drawing from his experience as a high school principal, he explains how observing outstanding classroom teachers has enhanced his coaching style.

This clip offers valuable insight for high school coaches, emphasizing how strong classroom practices can directly impact team culture, communication, and player relationships on the field.

Great Teaching = Great Coaching

Set Clear Expectations

Both students and athletes should know exactly what is expected of them
Consistency is key — routine creates reliability and accountability

Work Alongside

Be present in the process, not just above it
Support players through highs and lows — that’s how trust is built

Encourage Higher-Level Thinking

Move beyond memorization — promote understanding
Use the “Playbook vs. Notebook” mindset
Build your playbook from what has worked, not just tradition
Let it evolve through thoughtful evaluation

Create a Culture of Feedback

Foster two-way communication
Be honest; deliver hard truths with care
Read the room; always know your team’s emotional and mental state
Empower player leaders who can help you gauge the pulse of the team

Stack the Days

Progress is built one solid day at a time
Model intellectual curiosity both on and off the field
Show interest in learning beyond football
Inspire players to do the same

Tim Goodwin, Football Coach Marion Local (OH) HS, Talks with Says Who Sports

4,756 views Oct 24, 2024

Tim Goodwin is widely considered to be among the best high school football coaches in Ohio, and his Marion Local (Maria Stein, OH) program owns the longest active winning streak in the nation. Goodwin visits with Says Who Sports to discuss the importance of humility despite incredible success, including Marion Local’s record fourteen state championships, the core values of his program, the strong value of a coaching staff that brings a wealth of experience and ideas, and his thoughts on competing in the Midwest Athletic Conference, a powerhouse small school league in west central Ohio where multiple schools winning state championships in a variety of sports, not just football, each year has become commonplace. Goodwin shares his perspectives on the work ethic and strong family values inherent to kids growing up in a community and surrounding area with a rich history of farming and agriculture, life lessons learned from the toughest moments in coaching including tragedy, the ever-increasing spotlight on his program and his disdain for self-promotion, the intense practices that prepare his teams for crunch time in the biggest games, the intense debate among high school football fans in Ohio and beyond about the possibility that his teams could compete with and/or defeat the best ‘big school’ teams in the state, the influence of Bill Belichick on his coaching approach, and much more!

Most Coaching Wins, Ohio Only (minimum 250)

1 401 Jim France, Akron Coventry (1971) 3-7-0, Akron Manchester (1972-2014) 370-103-3
2 381 Bob Lutz, Ironton ended his career with an overall record of 381–91–5.^[6]

3 353 Chuck Kyle, Cleveland St. Ignatius (through 2012) 377-108-1
4 360 Terry Malone, Hamilton Badin (through 2007) 360-117-8
5 334 Alan Lee Hetrick, Versailles 334-95-4
6 325 Tim Goodwin Marion Local (Since 1999) 325-48
7 323 Pat Mancuso, Leetonia and Cincinnati Princeton 323-100-14
8 318 Ron Hinton, Amanda-Clearcreek (1980-2009) 285-90-3 & Chillicothe (2010-Present) 33-29
9 315 Jay Circosta, Woodsfield Monroe Central 315-128-5
10 312 Reno Saccoccia, Steubenville (1983-2012) 311-56
11 310 Bill Gutbrod, Cleveland St. Joseph (1950-1990) 267-107-17 & Gates Mills Gilmour Academy (1991-1997) 43-28
12 309 Don Bucci, Youngstown Cardinal Mooney (1966-1999) 306-89-5
13 308 August Bossu, Cleveland Cathedral Latin (1947-1952) 33-18-3 & Cleveland Benedictine (1955-1993) 275-109-15
14 305 Ed Domsitz, Kettering Archbishop Alter, 305-144
15 303 Paul Culver Jr., Thornville Sheridan (1981-2012), Buckeye North (1979-1980) & Glouster Trimble (1973-1978) 303-123-5
16 301 Bob Gregg, Dayton Jefferson Township and Centerville 301-89-5. Episode #444: Kirk Herbstreit – Honoring The Life Of Centerville Football Coach Bob Gregg | The Learning Leader Show
17 284 Skip Baughman, St. Marys Memorial (1959-1993) 271-95-7 & Dola Hardin Northern (1957-1958) 13-8-1
18 283 John Reed, Coldwater, Rockford Parkway, Marion Harding, Lebanon, Upper Sandusky 283-126-1
19 266 Dave Bruney, Martins Ferry 266-122
20 255 Randy Baughman, Newark Licking Valley (1982-2010) and Gnadenhutten Indian Valley North (1981), 255-83-1
21 254 Jay Niswonger, Germantown Valley View, 254-97-1
22 252 Gerry Rardin, Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit (1980-2014), 252-118-2
22 252 Lowell Klinefelter, Canton Central Catholic (1973-2013)
23 251 Dick Cromwell, St. Francis, Olmsted Falls, Findlay
25 250 Ed Miller, Wheelersburg, Portsmouth Notre Dame, 250-41-4
25 250 Keith Schrock, Smithville (1977-2011), 250-123-3