Dover football coaching legend Dan Ifft calls it a career
DOVER (WJER) (Nov. 26, 2024) – It’s the end of an era for the Dover High School football program that will never be duplicated.
The school district announced this morning that Dan Ifft – the most successful football coach in school history – is retiring after three decades of dedicated leadership.
Image from Dover City Schools on Facebook
He steps down with an overall record of 247-93, or a 73% winning percentage.
Accolades include 3 undefeated regular seasons, 18 ECOL championships, 1 OHSAA Final Four appearance, and 1 Ohio AP Poll championship team.
Ifft was also the ECOL “Coach of the Year” 17 times and Eastern District “Coach of the Year” three times.
“The Dover Board of Education, administration, staff, student-athletes, and community have meant so much to me. I could never repay the love and support provided to me, my wife Jill, and our family. However, after 30 years, the time is right for me to pass the torch to the next generation of coaching,” said Ifft. “The Dover Football program will continue the excellence that began in 1896; it has been my honor to be a small part of the 122 years of this storied tradition.”