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Ironton's Head Coach, Bob Lutz

 Reproduced here with the permission of the author, Jimmy Walker

This Article originally appeared in the brochure for the 
 Dedication of Ohio Historical Marker for Ironton Tank Memorial Stadium: July 21, 2002

 Tanks Memorial Stadium was the home to the great Ironton Tanks tradition. It is now the home to another great winning tradition, the Ironton High School Fighting Tigers. Under the guidance of Bob Lutz the past 30 years, Ironton has build a reputation as one of the greatest programs not only in the state of Ohio but across America. Lutz himself has been honored by an induction into the National High School Federation Hall of Fame and is a certain Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame selection in the near future.

Tanks Stadium has been a big part of the success. Ironton is 141-19 on its home turf during Lutz's tenure, an .882 winning percentage. Lutz recorded the milestone 300th win on October 12, 2001, as the Ironton Fighting Tigers beat the Dayton Dunbar Wolverines 43-8 at Tanks Memorial Stadium.

Lutz's first win was 26-2 at Chesapeake on September 12, 1969, in his second game at St. Joe. His first game was a 23-14 loss at Meigs. His 100th win was 35-13 over Wellston in 1980 at Tanks Memorial Stadium, and his 200th career was a 20-12 win at Portsmouth in 1990. Terry Malone of Hamilton Badin is the all time leader with 349 wins. Lutz is currently fifth on Ohio's all-time win list and 52 nationally.


Lutz is now (7/2002) 303-63-5 in his 33rd season, that includes a 283-55-4 record during his 30 years at Ironton. He posted a 20-8-1 record in three seasons at Ironton St. Joseph, his alma mater, where he won two Ohio Valley Conference championships and placed second the other season. In his 33 years, he had only one losing season (3-7) in 1996. Lutz's record gives him an .824 winning percentage all-time and .834 at Ironton. The amazing record means Lutz's teams have averages 9.1 wins and 1.9 losses per season.

"Coach Lutz always makes the right calls and puts us in a position to win. He's been doing it for a lot of years. You can't find a better coach," said Ironton linebacker Chad Parker, a captain on the 2001 team.

Former Ironton athletic director Mike Burcham recommended the hiring of Lutz in May of 1972. The board hired Larry Coyer who resigned after one day to take a job with Massillon. "I felt Bob was the most organized man for the job and his character was beyond reproach." Burcham said. "He had a great knowledge of the game, and he was honest and fair. He's proved that through the years. He wouldn't and didn't, play his own son because he though someone else was a better player. Bob always puts the players first. And his record speaks for itself."

Most importantly to Lutz than the record is the team's success. Ironton has made 21 playoff appearances, the second most of any team in OHSAA history-with two state championships (1979 and 1989) and six runners-up.

The Fighting Tigers have won four mythical state Associated Press poll championships including 2001. Ironton finished 10-0 in the regular season in 2001, it's 13th unbeaten regular season under Lutz. Ironton's only other modern-era unbeaten season was 1935 under Dick Gallagher. The Fighting Tigers were 1-0-1 in 1903 and 3-0 in 1913