New Albany football coach Brian Finn resigns after 26 years in program

After more than a quarter century coaching with New Albany football, Brian Finn is taking a step back.

Finn announced his resignation Feb. 5 after four seasons as head coach and 26 coaching in the program.

Ten of Finn’s 22 wins came in 2022, when New Albany reached the Division I, Region 3 final, but the Eagles are coming off their third consecutive four-win season.

New Albany’s 4-6 record last fall snapped a five-year run of playoff appearances.

New Albany football coach Brian Finn speaks to Jate Hoovler during a Sept. 12, 2025, game against Upper Arlington.

“I take responsibility for anything that does or doesn’t happen with the program and I think it was a good time for some change for New Albany football in general,” said Finn, who recently turned 50. “At the end of the day, it’s been an honor and a privilege. … I had the opportunity to be a part of building something that has been pretty special in central Ohio football. I will always act and do what is in the best interest of this program.”

Finn was an assistant under five head coaches at New Albany, the only high school program for which he has worked. He was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2013, when Pat Samanich succeeded Mark Mueller as head coach, and remained in that job under Bubba Kidwell from 2018-21 before Kidwell stepped down in January 2022.

A few weeks later, Finn was named head coach. He has been on staff for all 14 of New Albany’s postseason appearances, the first of which was in 2004.

New Albany was a state semifinalist in 2006 and 2012 and reached regional finals in 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2022.

Although he remains an intervention specialist at New Albany, Finn did not rule out coaching in another program someday.

“This is something I did right out of college; I went straight from [being a student coach] at Ohio State under John Cooper to New Albany,” Finn said. “I’m a coach. I’ll be coaching somewhere at some point in time. There’s no reason not to. I’ve seen other coaches take some time off and study other programs. Maybe I’ll do that. … A couple coaches I know already reached out. There will be some avenues for options.”

High school sports reporter Dave Purpura can be reached at dpurpura@dispatch.com and at @dp_dispatch on X.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: New Albany High School football coach Brian Finn steps down

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