North Royalton City Schools is pleased to announce that Justin “Judd” Lutz has been recommended to the Board of Education as the next head football coach. The board will consider this recommendation at the January 7, 2026, meeting. Lutz joins North Royalton from Tiffin Columbian High School, bringing with him a championship-level coaching record, a deep commitment to student-athlete development, and a strong foundation in educational leadership.
Since 2016, Lutz has served as head football coach at Tiffin Columbian High School, where he led the program to Sandusky Bay Lake Conference Championships in 2018 and 2019, seven consecutive playoff appearances (2018–2024), and a Regional Championship and State Final Four appearance in 2020 — the only such achievement in school history. He is the second winningest coach in program history and has earned widespread recognition for excellence in coaching and leadership, including District Coach of the Year (2018), North Central Ohio Football Coaches Association Coach of the Year (2020), and selection as an Ohio North-South All-Star Coach in 2019, 2020, and 2023.
Under his leadership, Tiffin Columbian football teams also prioritized academic success, earning All-Ohio Academic Team honors in 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
In addition to his coaching accomplishments, Lutz currently serves as middle school assistant principal at Tiffin Middle School. He works effectively with staff, students, families and the community and is respected as an educational leader in the district. His leadership was recognized with the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) Leadership Excellence Award in 2019.
Lutz began his career in education as a high school and middle school mathematics teacher, instructing a wide range of courses and serving as a mentor teacher and assistant athletic director. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Adolescent to Young Adult Education from Mount Union College (now the University of Mount Union) and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration with Principal Licensure from Ashland University.
A standout collegiate athlete, Lutz competed at Mount Union as a member of two NCAA Division III National Championship football teams and was a Gagliardi Trophy finalist, recognizing excellence in athletics, academics, and service. He also earned multiple All-American honors in track & field and was a two-time Academic All-American.
“Coach Lutz brings proven success at the highest levels of high school football along with a strong educational leadership background,” said Superintendent Michael Laub. “He understands that athletics are an extension of the classroom, and we are excited for the impact he will have on our student-athletes and school community.”
Lutz will officially begin his role with North Royalton City Schools following board approval and will begin meeting with student-athletes, families, and staff in the coming weeks.
