Hoover's Don Hertler Jr. selected to Ohio coaches hall of fame

NORTH CANTON Former Hoover High School football coach Don Hertler Jr. is part of the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association’s 50th Hall of Fame class.

Hertler joined Bill Nees, Jerry Rutherford, Mike Fell, Dan Johnson and Dean Pees in the class, which was inducted on June 14, 2019.

Known for his offensive mind, Hertler guided the Vikings to a 136-75 record in his 19 years as head coach in North Canton from 1996 to 2014. The Hoover alum and son of legendary head coach Don Hertler Sr. suffered one losing season in his first 14 years with the Vikings. Hoover won eight Federal League titles and qualified 12 times for the postseason under Hertler, highlighted by a state semifinal appearance in 2008.

Hertler’s 136 wins at Hoover represent the eighth most by a head coach in Stark County.

Hertler also spent eight years (1987-94) as head coach at Garaway, accumulating a 66-15 record and four Inter-Valley Conference titles. He owns a career record of 202-90 in his 27 seasons as a head coach.