High school soccer: Colin Curtis named new Highland girls coach

While new Highland girls soccer coach Colin Curtis is a fresh face among varsity head coaching circles, he is no doubt a very familiar one around Medina County circles. Curtis is a 2012 Brunswick graduate and spent four years playing for the Blue Devils before a four-year career at John Carroll University. Since graduating from John Carroll, Curtis returned to his high school alma mater coaching the junior varsity girls under Scott Ward. Curtis, a high school history teacher at Brunswick, felt he was ready for his first varsity head coaching job. Nearby Highland seemed like a perfect fit. "I got into coaching right out of college and as much as I loved playing, I think I love coaching even more," Curtis said. "Through the experience the last six years, I've been preparing myself to jump up to the varsity level and looking for the right opportunity to do so. When the Highland job came open, I knew this was a great opportunity to take that next step." Curtis understands the responsibility of taking over a program that has posted winning records in 10 of the past 11 seasons, including the Suburban League American Conference title in 2020. "I know that Highland in the last few years has had a tremendous amount of success," Curtis said. "I want to continue to build off that." The Hornets look to be strong again this fall with returning All-Gazette selections Ella Dinwiddie, Grace Madison and Ciara Santiago. Dinwiddie is set for her senior season, while Madison and Santiago will be sophomores. Honorable mention choice Jillian Miller will be a junior. Beyond the players at the high school level, Curtis sees the efforts being sowed in the youth program, keeping the future bright. He believes his attitude can continue to develop greater success in the years to come. "I know they have a strong foundation in the youth program," said Curtis, who also kicked for the football team and played rugby at Brunswick. "I want to bring in a new energy, my passion for the game and as a teacher and a coach my passion for working with high school students." While winning is important, Curtis also hopes to be a role model through the life lessons the game can teach that will stick with players long after they hang up their cleats. "Some of the most important relationships in my life have been my coaches, the ones that I've played for and worked under," Curtis said. "To create those relationships with my players is the best part of my job and also the most important part of my job. As much as we want to win and have success, it's about teaching life lessons through sports." Curtis also believes his playing experiences have helped mold his own expectations as a coach and help him relate to what his players are going through. "All the things I've learned from (my former coaches), playing, watching them coach and experiencing it from the player's side has really helped me as a coach understand what my players expect of me," Curtis said. "I know what I expected of my coaches. Through my playing experience, it's guided me to this point to be an influence in my players' lives and share my experiences." Most of all, Curtis wants to continue to give back to the game he's loved for nearly his whole life and continue to bring success to Highland. "I've loved this game since I was 4 years old," Curtis said. "Now that my playing career is over, I want to continue to share what I know and bring my passion to Highland." Contact John Urchek at jurchek@medina-gazette.com.