The Browns have named Justin Todd, head coach of Wadsworth High School, as the 2025 Cleveland Browns High School Coach of the Year, recognizing over a decade of transformational leadership rooted in character, purpose and the holistic development of young men.
Todd will receive $6,000 in funding for the Wadsworth football program and will represent the Browns for the AFC's NFL Don Shula High School Coach of the Year award. His selection honors more than wins and records—it honors a coach who sees football not as an end, but as a platform to shape future husbands, fathers, leaders and citizens.
Browns youth football manager Hannah Lee shared that over the past five years, she has watched Todd consistently shape young men into leaders far beyond the football field. She said Todd has created a program rooted in discipline, humility and purpose—and has a rare ability to prepare his athletes not just for game day, but for life.
"This recognition isn't just about wins," Lee said. "It's about the way Coach Todd pours into his players every single day. His commitment to building character, teaching responsibility, and helping young men grow into confident, capable leaders is extraordinary."
The Browns selected Todd not only for the success he has brought to Wadsworth on Friday nights, but for the lasting impact he has on his players, their families and the community. His leadership, integrity and devotion to developing young people embody the essence of what this award represents—an influence that stretches beyond football and will continue to shape future athletes, coaches and leaders across Northeast Ohio.
A Purpose Shaped by a Coach Who Changed His Life
Todd's coaching journey can be traced back to one person—Chet Looney, his high school head coach who first showed him what leadership, service and genuine care look like. Looney's unwavering commitment to his players' growth and insistence on personal excellence in all areas of life became the catalyst for Todd's lifelong passion, teaching him that coaching is, at its core, a calling.
Todd described Looney as a "profound influence on my development as a young man," someone whose "daily presence and unwavering commitment to our growth" left a mark he carries into every practice today. Looney didn't just coach him — he invested in him.
The turning point came during a college bye week, when Justin returned home and watched Looney command the sideline with purpose and poise. The way he inspired his players and led his program struck Todd deeply. By Monday morning, Todd had changed his major from business to education — choosing a life of service because someone had modeled its power for him.
Looney didn't just influence Todd's path — he shaped his purpose. Todd honors Looney's legacy by pouring into young men the same way Looney once poured into him: with belief, integrity and a commitment to helping them become the best version of themselves.
A Program Built on Character, Discipline and Growth
Before becoming one of the most respected coaches in Northeast Ohio, Todd first built his foundation as a student-athlete at Mount Union, one of the most storied Division III programs in the nation. Todd learned firsthand what elite preparation, discipline and culture looked like – lessons that would later shape every aspect of his coaching philosophy.
Those principles now define Wadsworth football, where values—not plays—set the tone.
Todd believes that football reveals character, and more importantly, that a coach has the responsibility to help shape it.
"We are in the man-making business," he said. "Football is simply our platform."
His program is built on three clear pillars of teamwork, sportsmanship and character.
Teamwork is rooted in sacrifice, where the collective matters more than headlines. Sportsmanship is anchored in humility and integrity, teaching players that the opponent is a mirror, not an enemy. Character sits above talent, because as Todd explained, "great programs don't just win games; they produce people of substance."
He holds himself and his staff accountable as role models, reminding them daily that their influence stretches far beyond football strategy.
"My players must know I care more about them than I do a win," he said.
That mindset guides every decision he makes.
Equipping Young Men for Life—The Heart of His Calling
If there is one thread that defines Todd's leadership, it's that the job does not end when the helmets come off. He speaks often about the connection between habits on the field and success in life—punctuality, preparation, resilience, emotional control, teamwork and accountability. He teaches his players that adversity is not a setback, but a life exercise.
"Football is a classroom for life," Todd said. "The lessons they learn here will matter long after their last snap."
He wants every player—starter or reserve—to leave Wadsworth more confident, more disciplined and more prepared for adulthood.
"We build better football players by building better young men," he said. "When they carry these lessons into college, careers and families [...] that's the impact that lasts."
Relationships at the Center of His Coaching Philosophy
Todd's commitment to his players extends beyond football strategy. He prides himself on cultivating meaningful relationships with the young men in his care—knowing their stories, pressures, aspirations and the challenges they face. He believes honest conversations, accountability and consistent support help young men grow.
"The real reward is seeing boys step into manhood," Todd said.
It's why players feel seen, valued, and understood in his program. And it's why they return years later, sharing how something he taught them about discipline, resilience or integrity shaped the trajectory of their lives.
A Commitment to Safety, Academics and Community
Todd views every element of his program as part of developing well-rounded men. That includes holding players to the highest academic expectations. He described football as a privilege, but school is their right, and leads a program with a 100 percent graduation rate built on structure, responsibility and pride.
To ensure his program understands what it means to be a servant leader, Todd is focused on creating opportunities for athletes to serve others. They hold the "Spring Spruce Up Mulching Fundraiser" that delivers, spreads and cleans up mulch beds throughout Wadsworth. Their "Christmas Tree Project" partners players with the local American Legion to load and unload Christmas trees, assisting families in need during the holiday season. At the Senior Center Extravaganza, the team sets up and tears down the annual event, moving more than 200 tables and 1,500 chairs for the senior center. In partnership with a local radio station, players pack and load food for over 250 families across Medina County as part of the "Food for the Hungry" event.
These are not extras in Todd's program—they are essential. They teach gratitude, humility and the importance of contributing to something larger than themselves.
A Legacy Far Bigger Than Football
Todd's legacy will never be measured solely by wins, though he has plenty. It will be measured in the lives he has shaped.
"Wins are temporary, championships fade, but the impact we have on young people lasts a lifetime," he said.
This is the legacy he is building—one young man at a time. A legacy of discipline. A legacy of integrity. A legacy of men who will lead families, workplaces and communities with character because they once wore the "W" across their chest.
"Coach Todd represents everything this award stands for," Lee said. "The title 'coach' is something he approaches with purpose and deep responsibility. His commitment to his players, his program, and his community is exactly why he is so deserving of this honor."
High School Game of the Week
The High School Game of the Week, presented by Ohio Cat in association with Howard Hanna and Foreverlawn, is a ten-week initiative dedicated to celebrating and supporting high school football across Northeast Ohio. Throughout the season, a total of $30,000 was donated to the winning teams of each featured matchup. Additionally, every winning coach was nominated for the Browns High School Coach of the Year award, which provides an additional $6,000 to the selected coach's school football program.
