Former Reynoldsburg Raider and NFL Wide Receiver for the Chicago Bears Mark D. Philmore, II has accepted the role as Head Coach for Reynoldsburg High School’s Football Team, pending approval at the February Board of Education Meeting. Philmore will oversee the freshmen, Junior Varsity and Varsity teams.
Philmore comes to the District from Eastern Illinois University, where he was the Assistant Coach-Wide Receivers and Recruiting Coordinator. Philmore has a successful track record of recruiting players to the All Ohio Valley Conference Teams, recruitment for the National Football League and the entire recruitment and player development process. He played an integral role in planning, organizing and conducting practices, games and tournament schedules. Philmore also has collegiate coaching experience from his time at the University of Dayton and West Virginia Wesleyan College.
While at Eastern Illinois University, Philmore was also responsible for the overall mental and physical development of players and provided mentorship and leadership both on and off the field.
“As a 15-year-old high school student, the Reynoldsburg community welcomed me with opened arms as skinny kid with just a dream and a drive to play ball at the highest level,” said Philmore. “The same community has once again embraced me by handing me the keys to its football program. As the head coach for Reynoldsburg, my mission is to set the standard for Raider Football. Words cannot express how truly humbled I am to surround myself with a great group of mentors and motivators to develop the program starting on Day One.”
“This is an exciting time for the Reynoldsburg Athletic Program, Reynoldsburg Football and our District,” said Reynoldsburg High School Athletic Director Jack Purtell. “When we started the search for our next coach, we wanted someone who was not just a coach, but a mentor, teacher and leader. Mark is all of those things, and more.”
“We cannot wait to watch Mark develop the talent of our players and help them realize their potential, on the field, in the classroom and in our community,” Purtell concluded.
Philmore attended Northwestern University in Evanston Illinois where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Communications. He is ranked fifth in All-Time Receiving Yardage (1,768). When he is not coaching, he enjoys traveling, cooking and spending time with family.