CHESTERLAND, Ohio — Matt Rosati is cleared to return as football coach at West Geauga for the offseason and into next season after the school cleared him of any wrongdoing, according to initial reports by the News-Herald and Geauga County Maple Leaf.
The school placed him on administration leave last month, pending an investigation into complaints that Rosati’s attorney called “nothing more than the cliché of a few disgruntled parents and players.”
Attorney Vincent J. Calo followed up last week with a statement that Rosati received a letter from the school district, reinstating him as a teacher and football coach after finding “insufficient evidence to warrant a pre-disciplinary hearing.”
The Geauga County Maple Leaf followed up Thursday by citing that letter to West Geauga superintendent Richard Markwardt.
Calo added that Rosati, “is thankful to WGSD for reaching the correct conclusion in this matter. Mr. Rosati has prided himself on helping instill integrity, accountability, and work ethic in his students and athletes during his stellar 35-year career. Allegations of any misconduct directed at him were vehemently denied at the onset of this matter.”
While West Geauga finished this season 2-8, Rosati missed the final two games while on administrative leave. It marked his third season at the school and second stint with the program, where he won 69 games from 1996 to 2007, before leading Perry to 111 victories and a Division IV state semifinal run in 2016 with three more regional final appearances.
Calo added, “During this extremely stressful process, Coach Rosati has been overwhelmed and truly thankful for the outpouring of support he received from the community; alumni from 22 states; fellow coaches and teachers; administrators and athletic directors he has worked with for the past 35 years; friends and family. He looks forward to resuming his career as a teacher and coach and helping lead young men and women.”
Contact sports reporter Matt Goul on X (@mgoul), Threads (@mgoul) or email ([email protected]).