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Former John Carroll coach, Cleveland native Tom Arth named Akron football head coach

Arth is a native of Westlake and 1999 graduate of St. Ignatius.

Akron football has found its next head coach.

And in doing so, it will bring a familiar face back to Northeast Ohio.

The Zips officially named Tom Arth their next head coach on Friday, with an introductory press conference scheduled for Monday at 4 p.m. A native of Westlake and 1999 graduate of St. Ignatius, the 37-year-old Arth spent four seasons (2013-16) as the head coach at his alma mater, John Carroll, prior to accepting the head coaching job at Chattanooga in 2017.

In his four seasons coaching the Blue Streaks, Arth compiled an impressive 40-8 record, making the NCAA Division III Playoffs three times. After recording a 3-8 record in his first season at Chattanooga, he helped lead the Mocs to a 6-5 campaign in 2018.

Prior to his coaching career -- which began as an assistant at John Carroll in 2010 -- Arth enjoyed a lengthy career as a journeyman quarterback with stops in the NFL, NFL Europe, the Arena League and Canada. From 2003-05, he served as a backup signal-caller on the Indianapolis Colts, while in 2005 he spent time with the Green Bay Packers.

In Akron, Arth will take over a program that has enjoyed just one winning season since 2006. Earlier this month, the school fired head coach Terry Bowden, who led the Zips to a 35-52 record and two bowl appearances in seven seasons with the team.

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