Two of the best to ever coach high school football — Ted Ginn, Sr. of Glenville High School in Ohio and Allan Trimble of Jenks High in Oklahoma — are members of the recently announced Class of 2023 for the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Hall of Fame.
This past season, Ginn led Glenville to its first-ever Ohio high school football state title, which landed the Tarblooders a No. 231 ranking in the High School Football America 300 national rankings, powered by NFL Play Football.
Trimble kept his program regularly in the HSFA national rankings prior to his passing from Lou Gehrig’s Disease in 2019.
Below are write-ups on the two legendary coaches from the NFHS website.
Ted Ginn, Sr.
Ted Ginn Sr. is one of the most improbable, yet remarkable, coaches in the United States. This past fall, Ginn led his alma mater – Glenville High School in inner city Cleveland – to its first Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) state championship – and also the first football title for a team from Cleveland’s (city) Senate League. The state title improved his record to 240-60 in a 25-year career that began in 1997.
After serving as a security guard, volunteer assistant coach and paid assistant coach at Glenville for 23 years following his high school graduation, Ginn was named head coach in 1997 despite not having a college degree or teaching certifications. To say he excelled without those qualifications would be an understatement. By addressing issues such as life skills, academic requirements, study halls and other issues, Ginn turned around the program and became the first public school from Cleveland to qualify for the OHSAA playoffs and now the first to win a state title. He has had only one losing season in 25 years and has qualified for the playoffs 19 of 25 years.
Ginn has achieved equal or larger success as the school’s track and field coach. He was named the NFHS Track and Field Coach of the Year for 2021-22 after leading Glenville to its 17th state championship. More than 20 of Ginn’s football players have reached the NFL, including Marshon Lattimore, Frank Clark, Donte Whitner, Coby Bryant, Troy Smith and his son, Ted Ginn Jr.
Allan Trimble
The late Allan Trimble was the most successful high school football coach in Oklahoma history during his 22 years as head football coach at Jenks High School. From 1996 until his retirement in April 2018, Trimble guided the Jenks program to 13 Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) state championships, and he posted an overall record of 252-43.
During his tenure, Trimble set multiple 6A state records, including longest win streak (39 games), most consecutive state titles (six from 1996 to 2001), and most consecutive playoff victories (25). He was inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and he was selected Sporting News National Coach of the Year, Russell Athletic National Coach of the Year and USA Today “Most Caring Coach.” In August 2018, the stadium at Jenks was renamed Allan Trimble Stadium and the street at the school was renamed Allan Trimble Way.
In 2016, Trimble was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Trimble’s approach to his diagnosis was no different than how he approaches life: build a solid foundation, put in the work and enjoy the journey. In order, Trimble emphasized faith, family, education and football. He continued to coach through the conclusion of the 2017 season and retired in April 2018.
Trimble lived his final years investing his energy in the Trimble Strong Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming people and communities both locally and around the world. Trimble passed away on December 1, 2019, at the age of 56.
