Just under a year ago on January 13, 2024, Matt Richardson was named the new head football coach at Warren G. Harding High School. Coming in with 24 years worth of coaching experience under his belt, he’d go on to build a staff loaded with a combined 250+ years worth of coaching experience. That expertise on the sidelines eventually resulted in an 8-4 record (a 3-win improvement from the prior season), the first home playoff game at Mollenkopf Stadium since 2020, the continued development of three early FBS college football signees on December 4, 2024 (Chaz Coleman to Penn State, Airiz Coleman Bey to Brown University, and Stephen Sims to Youngstown State), etc.
While momentum has been on Harding’s side, there was something missing to their recipe of success. Now, they may have found the key ingredient in a move that won’t just be beneficial to the football program, but the entire athletic department with the hiring of the world-renowned Mike Bartos as their Head of Strength & Conditioning.
He’s the founder of Mike Bartos’ PowerCenter, an online store based in Youngstown, Ohio with, as his website quotes, a very strong purpose that specifies…
“Our mission is to leave what we love better than we found it by providing high-quality, innovative equipment and methods to lifters in gyms, military bases, schools, and home gyms around the world.”
Up to this point, the school that has benefited the most from Bartos’ coaching methods is Youngstown Ursuline, where he graduated from in 2006. Two years after his playing days, he joined the staff of his alma mater and former head coach Dan Reardon and served as their strength & conditioning coach during their run of three consecutive Division V state championships from 2008 through 2010.
When Ursuline brought Reardon back for his second stint in 2019, he brought Bartos along with him. The same sophomore class that finished the ensuing season with a record of 2-8 finished their senior year 13-2 as the 2021 Division IV state runner up. Ever since, Ursuline continues to be a force to be reckoned with as they recently finished their 2024 campaign with a berth in the Division III state semifinal.
With order restored at his old stomping grounds, Bartos will now add his mastery to Harding’s adept staff that’s looking to take the next step with their young athletes. The move will also serve as a mini reunion as Richardson’s oldest daughter Justice, the 2015 OHSAA Division I girls 100 meter dash state champion who went on to compete at both Syracuse and Florida A&M, is one of many young athletes that was trained by Bartos.
Richardson is very pleased with the current activity of Harding’s football team.
“We currently have ten on the basketball team, another ten running track, and another one on the swim team,” Richardson said of his football team. “Lifting and competing in other sports is essential to becoming an elite athlete, so our kids are getting to work.”
Speaking of track & field, Harding recently hosted their first ever indoor meet at the new Warren City Schools Recreation & Wellness Center. Athletic Director Rick Shepas was present and was absolutely thrilled at the early results of Bartos’ presence.
“It’s a game changer,” Shepas said of the Bartos hire. “(Track & Field head coach) Charles Penny and I were talking at the meet the other day about how we can already see the difference in the physiques and power that our athletes are displaying when they compete. We still have Coach Collin Smedi working with them as well during the day and Bartos oversees everything while he does his thing.
“We’ve repurposed our strength program to positively impact every athlete in our district. Obviously, football often takes up the spotlight, but we’re all about the overall enhancement of all of our young men & women and we’re already seeing the improvements.”
Bartos shares the sentiments of Shepas as he comes in with high expectations for his new athletes.
“I think that the ceiling is unlimited at Harding,” Bartos said when asked about his expectations. “Coach Richardson and I have made it clear that our plans are to win championships in Warren. My plan with all of the other teams is to do exactly the same."
While Bartos was hired to enhance the physical development of Warren's young athletes, his long term goals for them go far beyond the field of play.
"The kids that come here and fully commit to the program will learn the blueprint of not only becoming a successful athlete, but also to succeed in everything that they do in life," Bartos added.
For more information on how Mike Bartos’ PowerCenter can benefit your life, please visit https://www.mbpowercenter.com/
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