The Moeller Football team has been often been considered one of the top programs in the country, but in recent years, it has been below average for the Crusaders. Following a loss to Huber Heights Wayne in the 2014 OHSAA Regional Playoff game, Moeller entered a dismal period going 13-18 in three seasons, including a 2017 45-0 dismantling by the Colerain Cardinals in the only playoff game during that period.

After the 2017 season, head coach John Rodenberg announced that he was resigning as head football coach. The search began for the 6th head coach in Moeller Football history.

On December 4, 2017, Cincinnati Bearcats Director of Player Development, Doug Rosfeld ‘97, was hired to turn the program around. Moeller Athletic Director Mike Asbeck commented by stating, “We hired him because of the culture and the attitude that he wanted to bring to the program.”

Rosfeld rebuilt the program during the offseason. Asbeck commented on these changes saying, “He lifted expectations and the energy bringing in Strength and Conditioning Coach Ryan Ross, and established a positive attitude around everything in that locker room.”

Moeller Football Helmet by highschoolball.com

The Crusaders turned a lot of heads during the 2018 football season, starting the season with a 3-1 record, going into the GCL opener at St. Xavier’s Ballaban Field. Moeller would go on to beat St. X, La Salle, and Elder to secure the GCL championship. This was the first GCL football title for Moeller since 2014, and the first GCL sweep since 2013.

Though Moeller lost their last 4 games, including a 35-0 decision to Elder in the first round of the playoffs, there was a definite change of atmosphere in the locker room. Asbeck stated that Rosfeld was the reason for this resurgence by saying, “He did a great job of maximizing the team’s ability in both wins and losses. He always had a positive message being sent to move on to the next task regardless of the result of the previous game.” This is one of the toughest things to do in the modern world of sports at any level. Having personal experience as a coach, one of the toughest tasks is keeping your players focused on what is ahead and not to dwell on the past.

On February 8th, shortly after the Cincinnati Bengals announced the hiring of new head coach, Zac Taylor, Coach Rosfeld held a meeting with his team to announce his departure. He will be working with Taylor’s staff as the Director of Coaching Operations. Taylor and Rosfeld worked together for the Cincinnati Bearcats in 2016, when Taylor was named the Bearcats offensive coordinator, before accepting the same position for the high-powered Los Angeles Rams.

Moeller players celebrating a road GCL win at St. Xavier by letsgobigmoe.com

When asked about the timing of Rosfeld’s departure, Asbeck explained, “We had many conversations around the time the season ended. He showed that he was going to have a hard time leaving a place like Moeller, that has done such amazing things for him and his family. He made it official on February 8th.”

In the meantime, it is all hands on deck to find the next Moeller head coach. Asbeck commented by saying, “We are in the middle of a nationwide search to find the next head coach. Todd Naumann ‘91 has taken over for the time being as the interim head coach and doing a great job. He is also a candidate for the position. The goal is to build on the current culture, and I think the future is bright for Moeller Football.”

Rosfeld Departs For the NFL