When Elyria Catholic went searching to fill an opening on its coaching staff, Athletic Director Jim Piazza and Coach Chase Farris wanted to think outside the box.
The Panthers decided to bring in another person with NFL experience. On Jan. 12, they confirmed they were hiring former Cleveland Browns player and assistant coach Doug Colman.
“You have to do what other people aren’t doing,” Elyria Catholic Athletic Director Jim Piazza said. “You have to be open-minded to see what is the scenario for Elyria Catholic and Elyria Catholic athletes. You listen and you research. We were really fortunate to be able to get somebody with his caliber to go with what we are coaching in his coaching staff to take our team to the next level.”
Colman will replace former Panthers assistant coach Doran Grant, who departed to be the head coach at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary.
“Everything is about timing. Once the news broke with Coach Grant (leaving), the phone started ringing,” Farris said. “We ended up connecting. We sat down and talked for the first time for almost two hours. We really meshed well. He is an amazing guy, with a really prestigious and coaching track record. He is a high-quality coach. We are glad to be able to bring him on staff.”
The brotherhood has expanded to the Cornhusker state of Nebraska, as Colman won two national championships in 1994 and 1995 as a player.
He was drafted in the sixth round of the 1996 NFL Draft and played professionally until his final year in 2001. He was a linebacker for the Browns in 2000.
"When you get guys that play at the highest level, how can any of our athletes question on what it takes to be the best," Piazza said. "That is our goal. We want to be the best in everything that we do."
He joined the coaching staff at Nebraska in 2008 and progressed to eventually become an assistant special teams coach for the Browns in 2019.
Colman was a state championship head coach in 2006 at Absegami High School in New Jersey.
In Farris' first year at Elyria Catholic, the Panthers went 3-7 (1-4 in GLC West).
![By TOM WITHERS The Browns began trying to fill an unexpected vacancy on Thursday by interviewing Seattle offensive line coach Andy Dickerson to be their offensive coordinator. Dickerson previously worked in Cleveland on coach Eric Mangini’s staff in 2009-10. On Wednesday, coordinator Alex Van Pelt parted ways with the Browns after four seasons working under coach Kevin Stefanski. Van Pelt’s departure was surprising since he appeared to enjoy his time in Cleveland and was instrumental in helping the Browns make the playoffs while coping with numerous injuries on offense. It’s still not known why Van Pelt left. General manager Andrew Berry is […]](https://www.morningjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AP23133215495908.jpg?w=499 "By TOM WITHERS The Browns began trying to fill an unexpected vacancy on Thursday by interviewing Seattle offensive line coach Andy Dickerson to be their offensive coordinator. Dickerson previously worked in Cleveland on coach Eric Mangini’s staff in 2009-10. On Wednesday, coordinator Alex Van Pelt parted ways with the Browns after four seasons working under coach Kevin Stefanski. Van Pelt’s departure was surprising since he appeared to enjoy his time in Cleveland and was instrumental in helping the Browns make the playoffs while coping with numerous injuries on offense. It’s still not known why Van Pelt left. General manager Andrew Berry is […]")
