The Chardon Hilltoppers have named Brian Landies as their next head football coach, replacing Mitch Hewitt, who stepped down earlier this month.
The Chardon Hilltoppers have named Brian Landies as their next head football coach, replacing Mitch Hewitt, who stepped down earlier this month.
An assistant coach for the last 13 seasons, Landies has been the team’s defensive coordinator, including leading the defense during the state championship teams of 2020 and 2021.
“Very few have sacrificed more for Chardon Football over the years than Coach Landies,” Hewitt said. “And besides, any coach who has penned a book titled ‘Bleeding Red & Black’ deserves the reins. As a father with two sons still in the program, I couldn’t be happier with the direction of the program.”
A 2002 Chardon High School graduate, Landies and his wife, Brittany, have seven children in the Chardon community. Two of his sons are in Chardon’s football program.
Landies played four years of football at Malone University before graduating in 2007. He was a Graduate Assistant for the Malone program in 2008 and 2009 before returning to the Chardon sidelines.
He has also been connected to the past three Chardon head football coaches throughout the last 45 years.
“I’m honored and humbled to be able to continue the traditions of Chardon Football,” Landies said. “I fell in love with Chardon football when I was 10 years old while watching my brother and his friends win a state championship.
“I was blessed to be able to play for Coach Doyle and Coach Dipofi, and coach alongside Coach Hewitt the past 14 seasons. Together, with the rest of our amazing staff, we look to continue to build on the rich history we have inherited, and continue to make our community proud to be Hilltoppers.”
Chardon Superintendent Michael Hanlon said continuity was an important part of the decision to hire Landies.
“His experience with our student athletes and the leadership culture established by Mitch Hewitt will enable us to make a smooth transition moving into the future,” Hanlon said.
