Don Smaltz

Don Smaltz made a lasting impact on Poland High School athletics through his outstanding coaching career in cross country, track & field, and football.

As head cross country coach from 1976 through 1987, Smaltz guided the Bulldogs to remarkable success. His teams captured five Mahoning Valley Conference Championships (1978–1981 and 1987) and three Sectional Championships (1979, 1980, and 1984), while compiling an impressive 106–48 dual meet record. During that span, his teams established a school-record 42 consecutive dual meet victories (1978–1982). He coached eight individual State Meet qualifiers, including three All-Ohio selections, won four invitational championships (including the 1979 Malone Invitational), finished runner-up at six invitationals, and was named the Mahoning Valley Coaches Association Coach of the Year five times.

In track & field, Smaltz served as an assistant coach for seven seasons, specializing in distance runners. His athletes set numerous invitational records in the two-mile relay, and one relay team finished sixth at the Ohio State Meet. He also coached a state champion in the two-mile run and served as the junior high track coach for five seasons.

Smaltz also coached junior high football during the 1971 and 1972 seasons. A graduate of Youngstown State University, he served as President of the Youngstown Road Runners from 1977 to 1982. An accomplished distance runner himself, he completed 15 marathons, including six Boston Marathons, demonstrating the same dedication to the sport that he inspired in his athletes.