CINCINNATI -- Turpin football coach Rob Stoll spoke with emotion Monday night as he reflected on the impact his team, community and district have had on his life for 15 years.
Stoll, 47, stepped down from the Turpin head coaching position on his own Monday afternoon, citing hope for a better work-life balance with his social studies teaching position in the district and more time to spend with his family.
Turpin athletic director Eric Fry confirmed the news earlier Monday night and said he planned to meet with Stoll Tuesday to begin what will be a transition phase for the program.
Stoll said he wants to focus on duties as a social studies teacher for the 10th grade at Turpin. He may consider something else in football coaching at some point but is content to have a better balance at this point.
"Teaching is important to me," he said. "It's important to be the best I can be as a teacher."
Stoll said the demands of the coaching position felt too consuming at times, and he wanted to be sure to give his players the best effort.
"I wish there were 36 hours in a day," he said.
Stoll he is most proud of the relationships he’s had with the players over the years.
"We had some amazing years," Stoll said. "I was blessed to really to get some incredible people and families."
From weddings to eulogies, Stoll said football and everything in between has made an enormous impact on his time as a coach. He’s thankful for the families who are such a significant part of the Spartans program.
“I truly appreciate being able to coach their sons; it meant the world to me,” Stoll said.
Turpin had one of its best seasons in program history this fall. The Spartans were undefeated on the varsity, junior varsity and freshmen levels in the regular season.
Turpin (11-1) was the No. 2 seed in Division II, Region 8 and was ranked No. 2 in the season’s final Associated Press statewide poll.
The 11 wins for Turpin were in the top three for victories in a season in program history, according to athletic director Eric Fry. The Spartans were also outright Eastern Cincinnati Conference champions.
Turpin lost to La Salle 34-3 in the regional semifinal Nov. 11 at Lakota West, but Stoll said after the game that his squad gave it their all.
La Salle went on to win its third consecutive Division II state title -- an Ohio high school record for that division.
Stoll, a Georgetown College graduate, has coached high school football for 26 years including his time as an assistant at Beechwood, Indian Hill and Turpin. He became the Spartans’ all-time winningest football coach with a record of 122-48.
Known as a perfectionist, Stoll earned the respect of coaches around Cincinnati and the state for his meticulous preparation. Colleagues respected his style and effort. His teams were known for playing fundamentally sound and being tough.
Turpin made nine playoff appearances under Stoll, including seven consecutive showings from 2006-12.
"Whenever we would play at Stoll-coached team we would have to prep more for them more than anyone on our schedule," Kings coach Andy Olds said. "His attention to detail and demand for toughness has had Turpin football at the top of the conference on a regular basis. The ECC will miss him."
