Milford Eagles athletics team set ahead of Monday opener

Milford's restructured athletics department is officially staffed and ready for the fall season, with the school board approving administrator and classified personnel consent agendas just days before Monday's first day of school.

The Milford Exempted Village Schools Board of Education voted 4-0 at a special meeting Aug. 13 to clear both consent agendas, completing the hiring cycle for the 2026-27 school year. The five-minute meeting adjourned at 8:05 a.m., four days before classes resume Aug. 17.

The approvals cap a leadership overhaul the district announced June 24, shifting to a collaborative four-person team covering grades 7–12:

Director of Athletics – Mark Trout. A 33-year veteran with 21 years as an athletic administrator, Trout's role expanded to oversee all athletic programs across middle and high school.
Assistant Athletic Director – Josh McDaniel. McDaniel joined the district in 2024 and received a two-year exempt contract at the June 18 board meeting. His responsibilities now extend into middle school programs.
Assistant Athletic Director – John Cole. The newcomer holds a sports management degree from Mount St. Joseph University and came from Norwood City Schools, where he served as assistant director of athletics and head varsity baseball coach. The board approved his hire at $58,941 per year on June 18.
Associate Principal of Student Activities – Christy Gregory. A 24-season softball coach and former 12th-grade assistant principal at Milford High School, Gregory will oversee extracurricular programs and serve as liaison to booster organizations and community partners.

"I am looking forward to contributing to the athletic department at Milford and supporting our coaches, student-athletes, and families," Cole said in the district's June 24 announcement of the restructuring. "I am eager to be part of the Milford community, build meaningful relationships, and join the continued success of Milford Athletics."

The district said the restructuring is expected to generate cost savings while maintaining support for student-athletes, coaches and families. The June 18 board meeting also approved a $225,000 transfer from the General Fund to the athletics fund and accepted a $1,500 donation from Cullen Electric, whose name brands Eagle Stadium.