2025 Interview with Urbana Head Coach Carleton Cotner

 

Carleton Cotner

Urbana High School

Head Football Coach

College: Norwich University (Vermont)

Could you share with the readers your coaching tree, from first job to current job?

Started right out of college at Muncie South HS in Indiana. Spent the next 10 years coaching in college.

Norwich University

Plymouth State University

United States Merchant Marine Academy

Ohio Wesleyan University

After that, HC at Fairbanks HS 2003-2006

HC at Ben Logan HS 2007-2013

Co/OC at Dublin Jerome HS 2014

DL at Marysville HS 2015

DL at Bellefontaine HS 2016

HC Urbana HS 2017 to present

Who are some of the coaches that you have learned the most from?

My time at Plymouth State University under Don Brown was crucial in my overall development as a coach. Understanding the importance of relationship building, motivation, and player development.

Mike Hollway at OWU taught me how to develop a family atmosphere.

At the HS level, the guy I learned a lot from and talk to quite a bit is Toby Smith. Coached with him at Bellefontaine. He is now HC at Ada.

Let's start off with a tough one. Out of all the coaches and players I have asked this of, all but two have given an answer. Do you think that private schools have unfair advantages or public schools?

They have advantages, but are they unfair?? Not sure. I firmly believe in and respect the right of parents to send their children where they think is best. I think where they have an advantage is most private schools have an expectation of excellence that carries over into athletics. They value and understand the role athletics play in the educational process. This sets them apart from a lot of public schools.

What are your feelings about the playoffs going back to twelve teams from each region?

In 2023, we were a 15 seed and knocked off the 2 seed, so I was glad we had 16. That being said, I know we had regions where teams were 1-9 and getting in—also other teams opting out. Something had to be done. 12 is a good compromise.

What mark did the 2025 class leave on the football program?

They were a great group that continued our upward projection. We made the playoffs for a 3rd straight year. I am proud of them and their contributions to our program.

At what point of a blowout game, winning or losing, do you pull your starters?

I don’t think there is a set time. It’s a feel based on the game and the opponent. With the running clock, you can control things offensively by running the ball and using all the play clock when you are up. When you are way behind, you want to be careful and not send a message that you are giving up.

What are your thoughts on Thursday night high school games?

All for them. A chance for you to have all eyes on you. Great for your kids and program. Can also allow you to go see your next opponent in person.

How much time per week do you work on special teams during practice?

Monday/Tuesday and Thursday will have 20 minutes in each of those practices. 10-minute specialists period and a 10-minute period on the phase we are working on that day. Wednesday will have a 30-minute period where each phase is covered.

In a perfect world, what offense and defense would you run?

I like what we do on both sides of the ball. Spread with tempo on offense and a 3-3 stack on defense. It’s exciting and fits our kids.

How do you go about choosing your captains?

Most years, we have any young man that wants to be considered a captain address the team, and then we vote. This year is different; we have such a strong senior class that we are going to rotate game captains with each of them and expect them to be leaders at all times, both on and off the field. We have put the team in groups led by our seniors and have been doing a formal leadership program with them where they are actually teaching leadership to their groups.

What are your core rules for your players?

Not a big “rules” guy. Obviously, you need to show up each day on time and work to get better. We have team core values. Selflessness, toughness, and discipline. We talk about what those look like and how we can live those values every day. That takes care of most of the “rules” a team has.

What does community buy-in mean to you?

I think it’s showing up every Friday night and supporting the kids and the program. Having high expectations, but also helping to make sure the program has the support to get what they need to be successful. We are a football town, and I love how our community shows up and supports us.

What are you doing outside of coaching for fun?

I really don’t have time to have a hobby or anything. I suck at golf—mainly because I don’t get to play very much. I love sports. Go to Reds games and always do a football trip in December. Been to Army/Navy, Lambeau Field, and Soldier Field. Going to a game in Buffalo this year. My daughter played soccer at Miami, so we followed her around when she played. Other than that, it’s all football!

The team asks you to blast one song in the locker room; what song are you playing?

Hell's Bells by AC/DC

What is your favorite home-cooked meal?

Anything on the Blackstone. Also, nothing beats some good chili on a cold football weekend.

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