FB: Warren Central football coach John Hart resigns

Click to view image

By E. Shawn Aylsworth
Managing Editor

John Hart, the coach at perennial Class 5A football powerhouse Warren Central the past four years, abruptly announced his resignation April 13, The Indianapolis Star reported on its website.

In a letter to the staff at the far-eastside school, Hart said he planned on accepting a teaching/coaching position at another school. Hart also informed Warrior team members of his decision in an afterschool meeting, according to The Star.

Hart is 238-70 overall in 27 seasons, having coached at Edwards County (IL), Mount Carmel (IL), and Evansville Reitz before trekking northeastward to Warren Central. Hart earned a Class 4A state title in 2007, when Reitz quarterback Paul McIntosh was named Mr. Football, as well as the 5A crown in 2009 in a 42-36 double-overtime classic remembered for a completed Warren pass that many thought came out-of-bounds.

Warren Central was knocked out early the last two postseasons, losing in the sectional round to schools that would advance to the 5A state championship game. The Warriors were felled by a huge fourth-quarter comeback that resulted in a 34-30 sectional title game loss to eventual state champ Carmel last fall, and Warren was bounced 35-14 in the sectional opener at home to eventual runner-up Lawrence Central in 2010.