Former DC Jeremy Ishmael named as Beavers' new head coach – News-Herald

The Riverside football team will be under new management next fall, but the person in charge will be a familiar face.

Jeremy Ishmael was confirmed as the new head football coach at the school board meeting on May 23. Ishmael has been the Beavers' defensive coordinator since 2012 on the staff of former coach Dave Bors, who resigned after the 2023 season.

“I've always wanted to be a head coach,” said Ishmael, 44. “The fact that I get to do it here, the words 'excited' or 'exciting' are what keep coming to my mind. It's huge, huge, huge shoes to fill, but I'm excited for this opportunity.”

Ishmael graduated from North in 1998 and earned his bachelor's degree in education from Ohio University and his master's degree in public administration from Cleveland State. He teaches political science in the Riverside Local Schools district.

He was the mastermind of the Riverside defense that helped the Beavers to a 21-5 record over the past two seasons. Under his leadership, the Beavers gave up 224 yards per game in 2023 and 246 yards per game in 2022 despite playing a challenging schedule.

“I think we've always prided ourselves on being physically strong and relentless,” he said of what he wants his team to be proud of. “I want us to be tough, focused and disciplined. We're going to work hard to continue the success we've had over the last few years.”

Ishmael said he is in the process of completing his staff. This is his first job as head coach, and he said he is also, in a way, learning the new responsibilities previously taken on by Bors.

“Dave has been amazing and allowed me to take on a lot of the responsibility as an assistant coach,” Ishmael said. “I've done a lot of media correspondence, been involved in planning and other commitments of the program. He's been incredible over the last 5-6 years and has given me the strength to tackle things like this and learn. Those aspects have prepared me for where I am now.”

Ishmael said he was offered the position on May 15 and accepted it shortly thereafter. He is busy working on the summer schedule and completing his staff.

“You have to wear a lot more hats,” he said with a chuckle. “I used to just show up and worry about defense. Today, it's a lot more than it is now. But this is what I've wanted to do for some time.”

Riverside is leaving behind a highly decorated graduating class this spring, but will have some key experience to fall back on next year, including three offensive linemen in Logan Labry, Derek Simpson and Cayden Calogar, as well as Ethan Baker at receiver and West Wunderle, Matt Priest, Luke Feather, Brody Bunting and Donovan Conwell on defense.

“There will always be kids coming to your program and then leaving at some point,” Ishmael said. “The kids who come to us need to understand that there is a set standard and we have no intention of taking a step back. This is their chance to write their own story and continue the success of the past few years.”

Ishmael, his wife Jenny and their three children – Nathan (14), Maddie (13) and Claire (10) – live in Rocky River.

Riverside opens the season in August against Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin.

“There's a little pressure as a new head coach,” he admitted. “But I'm just excited to get to work and see what the future holds for these kids and this program. I thank Coach Bors and the administration for this opportunity to continue the tradition we started here.”