A high school football coach in the state of Ohio finds himself at the center of controversy after a questionable post on social media. Garfield Heights head coach Mac Stephens put one of his own players on blast for being soft.
Although it was likely intended to be a joke, parents and fans are not convinced it was appropriate.
Players had to get creative on how to stay warm as weather had a major impact on high school football games across the midwest on Thursday and Friday nights. Their methods became subject to criticism.
Garfield Heights keeps winning.
Mac Stephens spent the last 10 years at Cleveland Heights. He led the Tigers to a Greater Cleveland Conference championship and developed many of his players to go on and play in college.
However, Stephens suddenly resigned at Cleveland Heights during the offseason to take the same job at Garfield Heights. Garfield Heights is also located in Cleveland, approximately nine miles southeast of downtown.
Its football team has not been very good in recent years.
The Bulldogs went 1-6 in 2020, 3-7 in 2021, 7-5 in 2022, 4-6 in 2023 and 3-7 in 2024. They have not made the playoffs since 2018.
Stephens has them right back on track by leading his program based on “the blueprint.” Garfield Heights beat Shaw 32-0 on Friday to finish the regular season at 9-1 by a combined score of 331-86.
Cold, rainy weather had an impact on high school football in Ohio.
Autumn has officially arrived. It was cold and wet in the midwest on Thursday night.
Garfield Heights football player Antonio Jones held his feet up to the hand drier in the locker room at halftime to try and stay warm because cold feet in any sport is super painful.
The extreme level of soft behavior shown by Antonio Jones at halftime of our game against Shaw is something I’ve never seen before. He is holding his feet up to the hand dryer to warm them up at half time…lol! @sonnyjohnson32 @kahari_hicks @GHHTSFball
— Mac Stephens (@MacStephens) October 24, 2025#NotTheBlueprint pic.twitter.com/EPKktBK2ym
Even though most people would not blame him for trying to stay warm, Stephens put him on blast. He called Jones out on X.
“The extreme level of soft behavior shown by Antonio Jones at halftime of our game against Shaw is something I’ve never seen before. He is holding his feet up to the hand dryer to warm them up at half time…lol! #NotTheBlueprint”
His post has since been viewed more than two million times. It was met with widespread backlash.
Unaffiliated football fans and parents questioned why a head coach would ever dog his own player on a public platform. They don’t understand how the post, while likely intended as a joke, would ever result in a team that is motivated.
“I wonder how hard this kid will play for you now?,” wrote @MrGCotts.
“Are you, a HS football HC dogging a player for staying warm? What is this? 1920? Wouldn’t want my kids playing for a coach advocating frostbite,” chimed @udbrky.
“Whyyyyyy post this? Convo sure but posting it?,” asked @Coach_Fifita94.
Those are just three of countless examples. They all shared the same general thoughts.
Now to be fair, coach Mac Stephens also made fun of his own son.
It was supposed to be in good fun. The internet apparently didn’t think so.
The post Ohio High School Football Coach Sparks Backlash By Putting His Own Player On Blast For Being Soft appeared first on BroBible.
Ohio High School Football Coach Sparks Backlash By Putting His Own Player On Blast For Being Soft
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