Lance Reisland, son of long-time coach and recent retiree, Chuck Reisland, will be the new head varsity football coach at Garfield Heights High School. He was unanimously approved for the position earlier this week at the regular meeting of the Garfield Heights Board of Education. Though he is no stranger to the program, having served as the Bulldog Offensive Coordinator for the past 18 years, Lance Reisland clearly treats this new role with the utmost respect that he believes the student-athletes and the entire school district deserves.
“I’m proud to have the honor of being named head football coach at Garfield Heights,” said Coach Reisland. “I’m proud of the hard work our players invest every day, I’m proud of this school district and I’m proud to have coached with my father for all of these years.” As the Reisland father and son duo over the past near-two decades, the Bulldogs amassed 119 wins and went to the playoffs three times in their only appearances in school history. Coach Chuck also coached his son, Lance, at Orange High School more than 20 years ago, before Lance was a standout quarterback at Kent State University.
“Our kids work hard and they love to play football,” continued Coach Reisland. “Our number one priority, however, is to make sure these young men set themselves down the path of being good people and good students.” Accordingly, Coach Reisland intends to push his players and set high expectations, as they’ve always been. His approach will be the same as it has been in the many years that he had served as Offensive Coordinator, instilling hard work and mentoring the boys to success.
“We’re coming off a successful football season and there’s no reason why it can’t be the same, if not better, this coming year,” continues Coach Reisland. “We have some major college recruits and we intend to play tough, gritty football.”
Reisland has served as a health teacher, student aid and part-time teacher in the Garfield Heights City Schools for the last 18 years as well. His presence in the building has helped him to earn the respect of his players. He plans to maintain the successful Bulldog tradition that his father created, and intends to continue moving the program forward in a positive direction. He is married to long-time Garfield Heights teacher and administrator Lee-Ann, and they have one daughter, Abigail, who they are raising in the community they love.
“This is my home,” concludes Coach Reisland. “This is where I want to be.”
The Bulldogs open their varsity football schedule on Friday, August 21, 2015 with a contest against Holy Name High School. Best of luck to Coach Lance Reisland, in assuming the role that his father, Chuck, held for 19 years, and to the rest of Bulldog Varsity Football Team.