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MIDDLETOWN — The process to find the new football coach at Middletown High School continues to move forward, according to athletic director Gary Lebo.

All five finalists — Chip Abele, Jason Krause, Joel Lauer, Mike Mauk and David Pool — were interviewed by four community groups late last week and over the weekend.

Now, it appears several will be re-interviewed by the Lebo, Middletown High School Principal Dennis Newell and Superintendent Steve Price.

"We're not ready to say how many yet," Lebo said, "but the process is to interview them this week."

Abele is a Middletown graduate who has been an assistant coach at Hilliard Davidson for the last nine seasons. Krause has led the Monroe Hornets to three straight playoff appearances, winning regional championships in 2005 (Division IV) and 2007 (Division III).

Lauer has guided the Madison Mohawks for the last three seasons.

Mauk won back-to-back Division IV state championships in 2001 and 2002 at Kenton.

Pool is a former professional player who spent several seasons in the NFL. He played in Super Bowl XXV with the Buffalo Bills.

"I think the community interviews went great," Lebo said. "We got a lot of positive feedback from the candidates about the process, and the people who were on the committees said they enjoyed being part of it. Several have said we have five excellent candidates, so everything is working out just the way we hoped."

Lebo has said that he hopes to present a new coach to the school board at its April 28 meeting.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2852 or sweaver@coxohio.com.

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