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| Regis Scafe was coach at John
Carroll through the 2012 season, when he was replaced by his
offensive coordinator and former quarterback, Tom
Arth. John Carroll athletics file photo |
Thomas More has announced that Regis Scafe will become the college's fifth head coach in program history.
Scafe has more than 30 years of coaching experience at the high school and college levels, including 14 years as the head coach at John Carroll. He was the head coach for the Blue Streaks from 1998-2012 and over that span compiled a record for 88-56 (.611), with the 88 victories being the second-most in John Carroll history. He is 104-90 in his collegiate head coaching career, a .536 mark.
Scafe replaces Jim Hilvert, who left last month to take a job at LaSalle High School in Cincinnati. The Saints had gone 67-19 in his eight seasons.
He led the Blue Streaks to nine winning seasons and the NCAA Division III semifinals in 2002, a year in which he was named the Ohio Athletic Conference Co-Coach of the Year. During Scafe's tenure at John Carroll, he helped 11 student-athletes earn All-American accolades and 75 earn all-conference honors in the Ohio Athletic Conference.
"Thomas More College football is number one in winning percentage in Division III football," stated college president David A. Armstrong. "There are many students, coaches and administrators that have made that happen and it will continue in the future. At TMC we have a culture of winning on and off the field. We have been very successful in the classroom, in our conference and on the national athletic scene. We were unfortunate to lose a legendary coach in Jim Hilvert. But we are fortunate to gain a legendary coach in Regis Scafe. Coach Scafe is one of the most respected head coaches in Division III and he has won at nationally prominent institutions like John Carroll University and Case Western Reserve University. To be able to hire a coach of his caliber speaks volumes about all those who came before him at TMC. We look forward to continuing our tradition of excellence as we educate the mind, body, and spirit of our students at TMC."
Prior to Scafe's time at John Carroll, he was the head coach at his alma mater and now-Presidents' Athletic Conference affiliate member Case Western Reserve for five seasons (1994-98). He served as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at John Carroll from 1987-94. During his time coaching at the college level, Scafe has produced 23 All-Americans, 13 conference Most Valuable Players and five first team Academic All-Americans.
"I would like to thank President Armstrong, Terry Connor and the search committee for the opportunity to be the next football coach at Thomas More," Scafe said. "It's an honor and privilege to take over a tradition-rich program at Thomas More and to follow a coach like Jim Hilvert. During the interview process, I witnessed the good vibes and attitude of the team and the campus and I'm excited to get started."
Scafe spent 15 years coaching at Chanel High School in the Cleveland area. He was the head coach from 1978-87, Athletic Director from 1984-87, assistant coach from 1972-78 and was the wrestling coach in 1978. Scafe was inducted into the Chanel Hall of Fame in 2000.
Scafe is also been involved with football on the international scene. During his tenure at John Carroll, his Blue Streaks made five international trips, competing in Italy, Ireland, Switzerland and France. Scafe has also coached in three Tazon de Estrellas (Stars Bowl), which feature Division III All-Stars versus Mexico All-Stars. He just recently coached at the International Federation of American Football development camp in Arlington, Texas. The camp brought together 99 players from 26 countries with the aim of improving the qualities of athletes and featured a game against US 19 All-Stars at AT&T Stadium.
"We are delighted to find a new football coach with the experience and success that Regis possesses," said Connor, the athletic director. "He had a successful 14 years as a head coach in the Ohio Athletic Conference producing student-athletes that produced at high levels on the field and in the classroom."
Scafe will make his Thomas More coaching debut on Sept. 5 when the Saints host St. John Fisher. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. at The Bank of Kentucky Field in Crestview Hills, Ky.