Photo Provided MARTINS FERRY graduate Michael Edwards was named head coach at Kilbourne H.S. in Worthington. He had been an assistant at Pickerington North.

Members of Michael Edwards family probably have a good idea what they’ll be receiving as a Christmas gift this year.

There’s a good chance that boxes filled with Kilbourne Football gear will be wrapped up for the holiday.

After all, they’re going to need it come August.

Edwards was officially hired as the new Kilbourne football coach last week. It’s his first head coaching position after working as an assistant coach at Pickerington North since 2009.

“it was definitely surreal and very emotional when (Kilbourne officials) called and offered me the job,” Edwards said. “I’ve applied for other jobs and been close on some, but for one reason or another it’s never worked out for me, so it’s been a grind to get to this point.”

A 2003 graduate of Martins Ferry, Edwards didn’t pay any attention to people when they’d make comments about needing to gain head coaching experience at a smaller school in the Columbus area before he’d be able to land a job in the Ohio Capital Conference.

“I just continued to believe in my body of work, my qualities as a coach and person along with my true character,” Edwards said. “It’s been a challenge to try to find the right fit and the right community, it’s all worth it now.”

When Edwards got the job, his first call was to his wife, Jen, and then he called his parents, Dave and Patty, who still reside in Martins Ferry. He becomes the second head coach in his family. His brother, Derek, is in his third season as the head basketball coach with the Purple Riders.

Edwards actual first day on the job was Saturday when he was at Kilbourne for a meet-and-greet with his returning players and their families.

“The kids had exams all week, so I was unable to get a meeting set up then, but I was able to pass out the January calendar and put some names to faces,” Edwards said. “I wanted to meet the parents, too. I wanted them to have an opportunity to ask any questions they might have had.”

Kilbourne is a Division II school that finished 1-9 last season with its only win coming against Olentangy Berlin, which is in its first season as a school. Edwards takes over for Vince Trombetti, who guided the Wolves for 13 seasons and took them to four playoff berths.

“Kilbourne has been good,” Edwards said. “They had a down year (in 2018) and I am hoping to bring a new energy, focus and whole new culture to the program.”

What Edwards will bring will be a combination of what he’s learned working in a highly successful program at North as well as what he gathered as a prep player under Dave Bruney.

“A lot of what we’ll do will resemble things we did at Ferry,” Edwards admitted. “Mostly the culture, how we treat the kids andthe expectations around the program stem from what I was taught at Ferry.”

Edwards moved to Columbus out of high school to attend Ohio State University. He graduated with an education degree in 2007 and has since completed his master’s degree in cirriculum and instructing from Western Governor’s University.

He was hired at Pickerington North in 2009 and has been there since. He’s worked his way up the coaching ladder. He began as a seventh grade assistant. His second season he elevated to the Panthers’ varsity staff and worked with the offensive lineman. Included on that team was Pat Elflein, who played at OSU and is now the starting center for the Vikings.

Remaining involved with the offensive line, Edwards spent time with the North staff leading the strength and conditioning staff, as run-game coordinator, was co-offensive coordinator for two seasons and spent the last two years as the sole OC.

“When I got (to North) there wasn’t a soul who knew who I was,” Edwards admitted. “I started at the bottom and just climbed the ladder with my work ethic. It’s been growth over time.”

Along with Elflein, Edwards has coached two other players — Jake Butt and Godwin Igwebuike — who have gone on to play in the NFL. He also called the plays for 2017 Ohio Division I State Player of the Year Jimmy Weirick, who is now playing at Wofford.

“I am thankful for what I had at North,” Edwards said. “Coming up here, from the valley, and not really understanding football beyond what we did at Martins Ferry was tough. But, (then North head coach) Tom Phillips challenged me as a coach. He always said he needed his assistants to be better versions of himself. He gave me responsibilities and opportunities, which helped to get me ready for this (job).”

Edwards, who is a seventh grade math teacher, admitted that he accepted the job at Kilbourne without the promise of a teaching position.

“Currently, (Kilbourne) has no jobs posted,” Edwards said. “They do believe there’s going to be a freshman math job come open, but there’s nothing in stone, so we’ll have to wait and see on that.”

Michael and Jen (Rice), who is also a 2003 graduate of Martins Ferry, have two children, Alexis (3) and Carter (7 months).