Stonefield Will Be Trojans' Interim Head Football Coach In '18

East Central High School athletic director Don Stonefield will take over for Justin Roden, who announced last week he has taken a coaching gig elsewhere.

Don Stonefield will become the interim head football coach at East Central High School for the 2018 season. Photo provided.

(St. Leon, Ind.) – East Central High School athletic director Don Stonefield will bridge the gap between the school’s last head football coach and its next one.

Sunman-Dearborn Community School Corporation announced Monday that Stonefield has been named the interim head football coach following last week’s announced departure of coach Justin Roden.

Stonefield is re-entering the position he held from 2003 until 2010. He was 76-21 as the head coach of the Trojans, winning four sectional titles and a regional crown in eight seasons. He became the school’s AD in 2011.

"It is an honor and privilege to step back into the East Central football program and help lead a great group of talented young men and coaches. I look forward to helping advance the football program and representing this great community and school during this time of transition,” Stonefield said in a news release from the school corporation.

SDCSC Superintendent Dr. Andrew Jackson said Stonefield is a dedicated and successful athletic director.

“Our athletic program has excelled under his leadership. I appreciate his willingness to step in as an interim to provide consistency and stability in this year of transition. He is a Trojan and a winner,” said Jackson.

Stonefield’s appointment as interim varsity football coach may be formally approved on Thursday, May 17.

East Central’s 2018 season will begin with a home game against county rival Lawrenceburg on August 17 – probably on a new artificial turf field.

The Trojans are the defending state champions in IHSAA Class 4A. They are widely considered to be contenders for a second consecutive title with quarterback Alex Maxwell, much of a great offensive line, and a strong defensive secondary returning.

Roden was the head coach at East Central for five seasons, going 47-20 with the 2017 state title and a 2015 state runner-up finish. He is leaving to become the next head coach for Noblesville High School's 6A football team.

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