Ifft retires after 30 years of coaching at Dover
Dan Ifft
After 30 years of service to Dover Schools and a distinguished coaching career, Dan Ifft, the Crimson Tornadoes’ head football coach, has announced his retirement.
Ifft’s time at Dover has been marked with 247 victories at the school and an overall record of 247-93, resulting in a 73% winning percentage.
His teams’ successes include the following:
—11 seasons with nine or more wins.
—Three undefeated regular seasons.
—18 ECOL Championships.
—One OHSAA Final Four appearance.
—Seven OHSAA Regional Championship (Elite 8) Game appearances.
—23 OHSAA state-tournament qualifying teams.
—Nine AP Poll Ohio Top Ten rankings.
—One Ohio AP Poll championship team.
Throughout his career Ifft led his teams against top competition, playing 115 state-ranked opponents including 78 top 10 state-ranked teams, 17 of whom held the No. 1 ranking at the time of the game. Ifft’s teams won 22 state playoff games and made 45 tournament game appearances. Ifft held a record of 23-8 against the school’s rival, a 74% winning percentage.
“The Dover Board of Education, administration, staff, student-athletes and community have meant so much to me. I could never repay the love and support provided to me, my wife Jill and our family. However, after 30 years the time is right for me to pass the torch to the next generation of coaching,” Ifft said. “The Dover football program will continue the excellence that began in 1896. It has been my honor to be a small part of the 122 years of this storied tradition.”
Ifft earned many accolades in Ohio football as he was the ECOL Coach of the Year 17 times and was the Eastern District Coach of the Year three times. In 2021 Ifft was an OVAC Coach of the Year finalist and a finalist for the Cleveland Browns High School Coach of the Year. In 2007 Ifft was the head coach of the Big 33 Ohio-Pennsylvania game, and he served as an assistant coach in that game in 2000 and in Ohio’s North-South game in 1996. Ifft was a 2016 inductee into the Ohio Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
“Coach Ifft’s impact on Dover football is immeasurable,” said Athletic Director Tim McCrate, who also served as an assistant coach under Ifft for 15 years. “He built a program that is synonymous with success, integrity and dedication. Beyond the wins and championships, he instilled values in his players that will serve them well beyond the football field. He values family, community and the spirit of teamwork and has worked hard to build a program built on that foundation. He is a true legend and, quite simply, a good man. I know the Crimson Tornado faithful everywhere are grateful for his years of service.”
Ifft, a Kent State University graduate, leaves a legacy of success. Before arriving at Dover, he honed his coaching skills as an assistant coach at Massillon Perry High School for 10 years.
Ifft’s family includes his wife of 42 years and children: Amber (Zac), Daniel (Kate) and Christian. All three of their children are Dover High School alumni. Ifft also is a grandfather to five grandchildren: Decker, Quinn and Zara Bruney and Elijah and Isla Ifft.
“I feel the need to be a full-time husband, father and grandfather. The best part about growing old is family, especially grandchildren,” Ifft said. “As much as I enjoy coaching, I need to turn the corner on my life and become a bigger part in the lives of those who have sacrificed so much so that I could live my dream of coaching high school football.”