Coach Andrew Marlatt: A Legend Leaves Loveland

 

 

 

I’ll remember the pregame speeches, and his emotion. He would cry before every game because of the game itself, us, and the community. He is the most passionate man I’ve ever known.

- Loveland High School tight end Jake Elfers

 

by Ricky Mulvey

After Cole Schlesner was injured playing baseball and could no longer play football, Andrew Marlatt made him an honorary member of the football team. For 4 years, Cole led the team onto the field and was asked to give inspirational pre-game locker-room pep talks. Cole's mother, Wendy said, "Andrew is an amazing person. One in a million." She said Marlatt has a good heart to think about Cole so often when he had enough to think about - coaching his team. Senior players were told at the beginning of the season that they could pick out any jersey they wanted, except #4. "That's Cole's number," the coach said. It was the number Cole was wearing the day of his baseball injury. 

 

Loveland, Ohio - After seven years at the helm of Loveland Varsity Football, head coach Andrew Marlatt has moved on to Miami University as the special teams coordinator. At Loveland, he left a mark that will not be erased. Not just a coach, Marlatt was a teacher and a member of the community that Loveland took pride in.

He led the Tigers to a 32-28 record since 2008 (including a 5-0 record against Milford,) and helped shape student athletes’ perspectives along the way.

“He always influenced us to think first about family and keep our priorities straight. He had a philosophy called the four ‘f’s,’ family, faith, f-academics, and football,” said offensive lineman Andrew Alten. 

On and off the field Marlatt had an electric and captivating personality. He had a knack for getting kids to perform to their full potential, and grow up along the way. Certainly, he will be missed in the hallways and fields of Loveland High School.

For Loveland, Marlatt’s advancement is bittersweet. “While he took Loveland football to a new level, more importantly he was a great role model for our kids. We will miss his enthusiasm at Loveland High School but we celebrate his accomplishments and are proud that one of Loveland's own is taking it to the next level,” said Loveland School Board Member Art Jarvis. 

“Coach Treadwell (head coach of the Miami Redhawks) believes he has a special teams coach, but he truly received a coach who will lead young men and make the Miami football program better than it ever can imagine. Coach Marlatt is a leader on the field but more importantly a lead in each phase of a young men's life. Miami football hit the lottery,” commented President of the Loveland Athletic Boosters, Jeff Williams.

At Loveland Magazine, Coach Marlatt was a pivotal part of our Loveland Football coverage, and his vibrant and eloquent commentary will be missed in the years to come. 

Marlatt will fit right in as a coach at Miami. He was a standout defensive end for the Redhawks in the 80’s and was put on the All-Mid-American Conference team three times. Before becoming a high school coach, Marlatt played briefly for the Dallas Cowboys under Coach Tom Landry, and three seasons in the Arena Football League.  

“He taught me a lot about life. He taught me lessons I’ll take with me in terms of prioritizing and knowing the difference between being a boy and being a man… taking care of yourself, your family, and not necessarily doing the fun thing, but doing the right thing,” commented junior tight end Jake Elfers."I’ll remember the pregame speeches, and his emotion. He would cry before every game because of the game itself, us, and the community. He is the most passionate man I’ve ever known."

As a defensive tackle at Miami, Marlatt earned All-MAC honors three times, including first-team honors as both a junior and a senior. His 52 career tackles for loss is still tied for fourth on Miami's all-time list.

Prior to his seven years as head coach at Loveland, Marlatt was associate head coach at Sycamore High for nine seasons, assistant coach at Kings High for three seasons, and assistant coach at Fairfield High for three seasons.

From 2001-05, Marlatt served as Director of Football Operations for the Anthony Munoz Youth Football Academy in Cincinnati.

The next head coach for the Tigers has not been named, and for the time being, Coach Brian Conatser is the leader of Loveland Varsity Football.

 

 

An enduring legacy that Andrew Marlatt will leave with the Loveland High School football program is making sure that non-football players felt as if they were part of the team on game night.