WARREN — An emotional Steve Arnold stood at the podium Tuesday at the Warren Board of Education meeting, reflecting on a 36-year coaching career which had just come to an end.

Arnold’s mood told the story of a man who was going to deeply miss the daily interactions with his players and fellow coaches. Arnold’s heart told him that it was time to move on.

As a result, the longest coaching tenure in Warren G. Harding High football history will remain at 12 years.

Arnold, who has guided the Raiders’ program since 2012, stepped down as he prepares to step into his new position at the district’s Student Recreation and Wellness Center. Arnold’s role will focus on student usage and integration for both academic and athletic purposes.

“It was just time to move on,” Arnold said. “At the end of this past season, I was emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually drained. I kind of sensed this coming on near the end of the regular season. After the season was over, I knew it was the right call.

“This is going to be difficult. When you pour your heart and soul into something for more than half your life, you can’t just turn it off and not be affected. But, I knew that it was the right time. The program needs to move in a new direction.”

Arnold’s 12-year stint with the program matches that of Piere Hill, who guided WGH from 1930-1941. No other coach has led the program for more than eight years.

Arnold’s teams compiled a 69-60 record and eight trips to the playoffs. This past fall the Raiders finished 5-7, which included a playoff win over Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary.

Prior to taking over the Raiders’ football program, Arnold served as the school’s head varsity basketball coach for a decade. He began coaching in the district in 1988.

Arnold is a 1982 Harding High graduate. He is a member of the Warren Sports Hall of Fame and the Warren City Schools Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame.

“First and foremost, I’ve been so blessed to have been able to coach so many great student-athletes, young men who will be close to my heart for the rest of my life,” Arnold said. “Very few men are given the opportunity to coach two major sports at the high school that they attended, at a high school like Warren G. Harding – a prestigious school known nationwide.

“I had that opportunity, and for that I’ll forever be grateful. I believe I coached with dignity and class, and that’s something I’m most proud of.”

Arnold’s fondest memories include a 10-year run of excellence on the hardwood. In 2008 Harding fell to Lakewood St. Ed’s in a Division I regional title game in controversial fashion. A year later, Arnold led the Raiders to a trip to the state Final Four in Columbus.

“That loss to St. Ed’s still sticks with me, because I felt like we had a championship-caliber team,” Arnold said. “Getting to Columbus was an extremely special experience.”

On the gridiron, Arnold led the Raiders to the playoffs with a 9-1 record in his first season. His Raiders made a trip to the regional final in 2016. His teams went to the playoffs five of the last six years.

“We were always proud of the product we put on the field, and the type of young men we helped mold off the field,” Arnold said. “At the end of the day, that’s what this is all about, that’s what this should be all about from a high school coaching perspective.”

Liberty coach Joe Simon first worked closely with Arnold when Simon was a sports reporter for The Tribune Chronicle. Simon said there was a “different type of feeling” the first time he ever walked into Arnold’s office.

“He was held in such high regard, and he was so well-respected all throughout the community,” Simon said. “You just never once heard a bad thing said about him.

“I remember walking into his office and you immediately knew he was a leader, he was in charge and he was very much respected by all those around him.”

Simon later would become one of Arnold’s assistants. He was part of the Harding staff from 2017-2020.

“Steve was always the hardest worker in the building; he was the first one in and the last one out,” Simon said. “He was a coach, a guidance counselor, a manager and a father figure. He always had the best interest of his players in mind in anything he did.”

“When you think of Warren and Warren sports, he’s definitely one of the first you think of. What he’s done for that school system, the community and the youth of Warren during his lifetime is extremely special.”

While Arnold emphatically insists that his coaching days are over, that doesn’t mean he is unwilling to return directly to a sports program all together. In fact, Arnold is hopeful to land a job “at the next level” in the near future.

Throughout his high school coaching career, Arnold was contacted by both college basketball and football coaches who were seeking his services. He repeatedly turned down the offers, but now is willing and eager to consider such options.

“Absolutely, it’s something I would seek if the right opportunity presented itself,” Arnold said. “I don’t want to coach anymore, but I’d love to work in personnel or recruiting. I’ve had those opportunities in the past in both sports. We’ll see if those opportunities are still out there for me.”

Harding school officials are expected to begin an immediate search process for Arnold’s replacement. Arnold noted that he will not be directly involved in the hiring process, but that he would be available to the new hire in an effort to establish a smooth transition.

Haring opens its 2024 season Aug. 23 at Canton McKinley.

sports@vindy.com