2025 Interview with Fairfield Christian Head Coach CJ McGruder
Name: CJ McGruder
School: Fairfield Christian Academy HS
Positions: Head Football Coach
College: West Virginia State University
Sports played: football and track
High School: Groveport Madison
Would you let the readers know about your coaching career? First job to current job?
I've been coaching for 17 years. I started in youth football and worked my way through middle school and HS ranks. Recently Pickerington North HS from 2017-2024 and held various roles across the program. Bishop Ready HS in 2023 served as an assistant coach. Returned to Pickerington North in 2024. Achieved multiple conference championships and multiple playoff appearances.
Would you share with everyone some of the top reasons that led you to take the job at Fairfield Christian?
First and foremost, the Christ-centered mission of the school really aligned with my personal values and coaching philosophy. I believe in developing young men not only as athletes but as leaders of character, faith, and integrity.
Second, I saw a great opportunity to build something special. FCA has a strong foundation, supportive leadership, and a hunger for growth. I was drawn to the challenge of developing a program where players are pushed to reach their full potential on and off the field.
Finally, I was excited by the culture and community. There’s a genuine family atmosphere at Fairfield Christian, and I felt a clear sense of purpose and unity here. That’s the kind of environment where young athletes thrive, and I wanted to be a part of that.
What were your first words to the team when you met with them?
The first thing I told the team was simple: I’m here to lead, serve, and help you become the best version of yourselves on the field, in the classroom, and in life.
I wanted them to know from day one that this isn’t just about football. It’s about building a culture of accountability, effort, and brotherhood. I also told them, Everything we do from this point forward will be done with purpose and with pride because champions are built, not born.
I wanted to set the tone early that we’re going to do things the right way and we’re going to do them together.
What does community buy-in mean to you and the football program?
Community buy-in means everything to me and to the success of our football program. It’s about creating a shared vision where players, families, school staff, alumni, and local supporters all feel ownership in what we’re building at FCA. A strong football program can be a rallying point for a school and a city. Community buy-in turns Friday nights into something special. It helps build young men into leaders who know they’re part of something meaningful.
Who are some of the coaches that you have learned from?
Two coaches who have had a major impact on my coaching journey are Coach Jim Wright, my youth football coach, and Coach James Yarbrough, my high school defensive coordinator.
Coach Wright introduced me to the game and laid the foundation not just in terms of football skills, but in how to approach the game with discipline, toughness, and love for the team. He showed me early on that coaching is about investing in kids and believing in them.
Coach Yarbrough took that to another level. He taught me what it means to lead with integrity and consistency. He was demanding but fair, and he pushed me to be my best. A lot of how I run my program today—how I hold players accountable, how I prepare, and how I lead—comes directly from the example he set.
Both men poured into me, and I carry their influence with me every day as I try to do the same for the young men I coach now.
With the Knights now having their own home field, what is that like not only for the team but also for the coaching staff?
Having our own home field is a game changer for the players, the coaching staff, and the entire Fairfield Christian community.
For the team, it creates a true sense of ownership and pride. When you walk out onto a field that represents your school, your hard work, and your culture, it fuels a different level of motivation. It becomes more than just a place to play; it becomes home.
For the coaching staff, it brings consistency and stability to our preparation. We can structure practices more efficiently, host events, and truly build a game-day atmosphere that reflects who we are as a program.
But beyond just logistics, it brings the community together. Students, families, and fans now have a place to rally behind their team every Friday night. It’s more than a football field; it’s a symbol of growth, unity, and what’s possible at Fairfield Christian.
What do you believe has to happen to turn the program around?
Turning the program around starts with building a strong culture, one rooted in accountability, discipline, and belief. We have to get our players to buy into the process, commit to doing things the right way, and trust that success will follow. With the right mindset, consistent development, and full support from our school and community, we can create something special here at Fairfield Christian.
In a perfect world, what offense and defense would you run?
In a perfect world, I’d run a balanced, up-tempo offense that puts our best athletes in space and keeps defenses on their heels, something like a spread or multiple sets that allows us to be creative and aggressive but still physical when we need to be.
Defensively, I’d love to run an attacking, fast-paced 4-2-5 that lets our athletes fly around, create pressure, and play with confidence. The key is being sound but also giving our guys the freedom to make plays.
With the athletes we have, the goal is to build a system that fits them, not the other way around. We’ll always adjust our schemes to put our kids in the best position to succeed.
How will you go about scheduling non-league games?
We want to schedule opponents that will challenge us and help us grow, but also matchups that give our kids a chance to build confidence and compete at a high level. It’s about putting our team in situations where we can improve, stay healthy, and prepare for league play.
As the head coach what will you do to try and get the numbers up throughout the program?
We just held our first-ever Middle School Signing Day, and that’s a big step in showing our younger athletes that they’re a vital part of our program’s future.
To keep building numbers, we’ll stay active in the school, build relationships with students and families early, and create a culture where kids want to be part of this team. That means making football fun, competitive, and meaningful whether you’re in 7th grade or a senior.
We’ll also involve our varsity players in mentoring younger athletes and host offseason events, camps, and team-building activities that connect the whole program. When young players feel seen, valued, and excited, the numbers will grow, and so will the strength of our program.
How will you go about helping your players get recruited?
Helping our players get recruited is a major priority for me. First, it starts with developing them the right way on the field, in the weight room, and in the classroom. College coaches want athletes who are talented, coachable, and academically eligible.
Second, I’ll be proactive in promoting our players. That means creating and sharing highlight films, reaching out to college coaches directly, using platforms like Hudl and Twitter, and inviting coaches to visit our school or attend practices.
How much effort as a staff goes into helping the players get an invite to the season-ending all-star games?
At the end of the day, it’s about advocating for our kids as a staff and doing everything we can to help them get the recognition they’ve worked for.
What is the last book that you read, along with the author?
The last book I read was “Chop Wood, Carry Water” by Joshua Medcalf. It’s a powerful read about embracing the process, staying disciplined, and finding purpose in the daily grind. It really connected with how I approach coaching, focusing on the little things done with excellence, day in and day out. It’s a book I’d recommend to any athlete, coach, or leader.
If you listen to podcasts, could you list one or two of your favorites?
I do listen to podcasts, especially ones that focus on leadership, coaching, and personal growth. Two of my favorites are The Coach Tube Podcast Great conversations with successful coaches across all levels. It’s full of insight on building culture, leadership, and strategy.
Compete Every Day with Jake Thompson A powerful podcast that focuses on mindset, discipline, and how to lead both on and off the field. Both challenge me to keep growing as a coach and to keep pouring into my players the right way.
Where do you go for a good meal?
For a good meal, I like to keep it local. Roosters in Lancaster and Pickerington is one of my go-to spots for great food, a good atmosphere, and a place where you can unwind a bit. I also enjoy supporting small, family-owned restaurants around town.
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