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MASSILLON – It was a homecoming for a contingent of past and present Massillon Tigers football coaches to celebrate the team's decades of success.
Former coach Lee Owens and author of a new book, "The Spirit of the Team," greeted dozens of Tigers fans on the evening of Sept. 24, prior to a coaches panel inside the Massillon Museum's Gessner Hall.
"The history of Massillon Tiger football is quite an accomplishment in leadership," said Owens, whose book centers around achieving excellence.
The museum's event brought current head coach Nate Moore and previous coaches Rick Shepas, Tom Stacy and Evans together for a sitdown of football talk. They answered questions related to Massillon's rivalry with Canton McKinley, coaching philosophy, teamwork and leadership.
"I think kids should play football to be around other men who are great leaders," said Shepas, who came to Massillon from Youngstown and coached the Tigers from 1998 to 2004.
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Moore noted that cameraderie is key to having a successful coaching staff.
"If I don't want to have a Pepsi with a guy, I don't care what he knows about football," Moore said.
Massillon vs. Canton
"Tiger Talk" hosts Scott Ryan and Rebecca Moore served as moderators of the coaches panel, which lasted about 90 minutes.
During part of the discussion, the coaches were asked about preparing for the final regular season game against the Bulldogs each year.
Shepas said he was impressed by the players' ability to participate in a parade, dinners, pep rallys and community events and still remain focused on football.
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"Looking back, I think the players (adapted) better than the coaches," he said.
Stacy, who led the Tigers from 2005 to 2007, agreed and added, "The (McKinley game) is always challenging, but it's the greatest high school football game in the country."
As a coach, Moore said, you have to embrace the job and realize that it's an honor to be part of Massillon football and the finale versus Canton.
"Everything we have goes into the season and that game," he said.
Lee Owens pens new leadership book
"The Spirit of the Team" written by Evans highlights multiple business leaders and football coaches, who share their stories and strategies for attaining greatness.
Some prevalanet individuals featured in the book are Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell and businessman Dwight Schar, founder of NVR, a Fortune 500 company.
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"A main focus (of the book) is teamwork," said Owens, 69, who lives in Ashland. "If you think about it, we're all part of a team, whether it's at work, a business, school or church."
Owens, who coached the Tigers from 1988 to 1991, signed books for many of the nearly 70 people who attended the event. His coaching record was 35 wins and 13 losses.
Moore also joined in with signing books, as a chapter in Owens' writing details the coach's success and recognizes the Tigers 2023 OHSAA Division II state championship.
What's new at the Mu: Unique photo-based exhibit open through Sept. 28
Longtime Tigers fan Bill Rohr atteneded the panel and book signing. He called Owens an outstanding coach and person.
"I graduated from Central Catholic (High School), and have beeen a fan of Massillon football ever since I could walk," Rohr said. "I like Lee Evans as a coach and individual."
"The Spirit of the Team," $25 per copy, is available at Amazon.com; coaches-playbook.com and TuckerDSPress.com.
Reach Steven Grazier at [email protected]. On X (formerly Twitter): @sgrazierINDE
This article originally appeared on The Independent: Massillon Tiger football coaches gather at MassMu to talk leadership
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