MADISON TWP. — For Evan Crim, leading the Madison High School football program isn’t just a job now — it’s a calling.
The 25-year-old Madison graduate took over as head coach following the recent resignation of Steve Poff.
And while his title may have changed, Crim’s deep roots in the community and commitment to the program have long made him a staple in the Mohawk locker room.
“I’m extremely blessed,” Crim said. “Coming from this community and being from here — I went to kindergarten and went all the way through here — my goal was to always come back here and lead this program.”
Crim has been a vital part of Madison’s coaching staff recently serving as offensive coordinator — a role he’ll continue to hold in addition to his head coaching responsibilities.
“Coach Poff gave me the reins last year on offense, and that won’t change,” said Crim, who graduated from Madison in 2019. “I’ll still be calling plays. Now, I’ve just got my hands in all the cookies — offense, defense, special teams — but my heart has always been in building this thing the right way.”
The relationship with Poff is one Crim holds close. Crim was on Madison’s last team that had a record above .500 in 2018 — during Poff’s first tenure — when the Mohawks went 12-1 and reached the Division V regional finals.
“Coach and I spent so much time together — at clinics, at his house, at the facility. We’ve built something real here,” Crim said. “He’s still on staff helping with the offensive line, but he’s constantly telling me, ‘This is your show now.’ And I’m so thankful for the belief he’s always had in me.”
The quick transition has been seamless, Crim said. With nearly seven years combined of coaching experience and playing under Poff and a lifetime growing up in the Madison system, Crim already knows the culture — and the expectations — that come with wearing red and white.
“I’m not coming in brand new. I’ve already been a voice in this program,” Crim said. “The standard has always been the standard, and that’s not going to change.”
Crim brings a unique blend of old-school mentality and new-age offensive creativity. A product of Cincinnati Christian University and Mount St. Joseph, Crim has studied systems ranging from balanced spread to high-tempo air raid — but his roots are firmly planted in power football.
“I’m a wing-T, wing-gun guy at heart. Gap scheme, misdirection, heavy formations,” he said. “But I like to add flavor — different motions, formations, tempo changes — things to keep defenses off balance.”
That philosophy is shaping this year’s offense, which returns senior quarterback Gavin Johnson and senior lineman Justin Pierce, along with senior Preston Buchanan, junior Kody Clark, senior Mason Willoughby, and a promising crop of underclassmen in sophomore Noah McCracken and junior Ethan Ketchum.
“Our young guys — especially our freshmen — have come in and worked with no attitude problems, no drama. Just effort and commitment,” Crim said. “And that’s what we’re building on.”
While offense is his specialty, Crim emphasizes that the mission is about much more than playbooks and scoreboards.
“Football is such a small piece of what we’re trying to do here,” Crim said. “We want to grow these young men into people who are proud to say they’re from Madison. That’s our job. That’s our mission.”
Crim is also quick to note the strength of the coaching staff around him. Chad Thompson remains on board, and former Madison player Caleb Cox joins the team this fall. The only departure is Jeff Howard, whose offensive line duties will now fall to Poff.
As for the on-field goals, Crim knows the path forward means being tougher in conference play.
“We won the games we were supposed to last year,” Crim said. “But in the league, we got pushed around at times. There were close games — one-score games at halftime — and we didn’t finish. We’re focused on every play mattering. That’s what changes the game.”
Madison started the 2024 season 3-1 before losing six of its last seven to close it out. That included a 1-5 performance in the Southwestern Buckeye League Buckeye Division.
Crim expressed a firm focus on how Madison has to be a contender in the conference.
“That’s what makes us better. That’s the blessing,” Crim said. “You’ve got to bring it every Friday night, and that’s what we’re going to do.
“This is the best place in the world. There’s no place I’d rather be.”
