The Youngstown City School District (YCSD) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Seth Antram, pending Youngstown Board of Education Approval, as the inaugural Head Football Coach for the Youngstown High School Defenders. This critical appointment comes as the district prepares for the consolidation of East and Chaney High Schools into a single high school, set to open in the fall of 2026 at the current East High School building.
Coach Antram will immediately begin building the football program for the Defenders, who will take the field for the first time in the fall 2026 season. This consolidation marks a pivotal moment in Youngstown sports history, merging the rich traditions and athletic excellence of both East and Chaney under one banner. The new mascot, the Defenders, symbolizes the unity, strength, and proud perseverance of the consolidated school community.
Seth brings 17 years of experience in education and coaching to the Defenders program. He is a former coach at Boardman High School, and is currently serving as the Head Football Coach and Dean of Students at Chaney High School, providing him with invaluable institutional knowledge of the YCSD system and its scholar-athletes.
Under his leadership, Coach Antram guided the Chaney football program to hosting the first home play-off game in over 20 years, a 21-16 regular season record, and the team’s first 10-win season in 30 years, a historic accomplishment that demonstrates his exceptional ability to build and lead a highly successful high school team.
“It is an immense privilege and honor to be named the first Head Football Coach of Youngstown High School,” Seth said. “This is more than just starting a new team; it's about forging a new identity built on the history of East and Chaney, but also creating a new culture of excellence, discipline, and community pride. We are going to build a program that the entire city of Youngstown can be proud of.”
YCSD Superintendent Jeremy applauded the legacy of the current coaching staff, saying, “We owe a debt of gratitude to the dedicated coaching staffs at both East and Chaney for their commitment over the years. As we move to the future of YCSD athletics, we are not just hiring a coach; we are hiring a program builder and a mentor. Coach Antram understands the importance of this consolidation and the opportunity we have to create a truly unified and exceptional athletic program. His focus on character development and academic achievement mirrors the values of our district.”
Coach Antram, in partnership with Athletic Director Patrick Fecko (who is going to serve as a General Manager in the future) will now begin working on staffing his coaching team, developing the program's foundation, and engaging with scholars from both East and Chaney in preparation for the start of the 2026 season.
Fecko’s role as General Manager will serve as a direct, pivotal partner to the coaching staff and athletics team. His primary objective will be to leverage his experience, notably his four state football championships during his tenure at Cardinal Mooney, to provide strategic leadership for the consolidated football program.