Paul Hulea

Paul Hulea is one of the few individuals to have both played and coached at Poland High School. As a student-athlete, he earned four varsity letters in both football and baseball.

In football, Hulea received All-MVCE and All-Northeastern Ohio honors. During his final three seasons, his teams won MVCE Championships. After graduation, he attended Muskingum College, where he played one year of football.

Hulea began his coaching career as an assistant at Columbiana High School. After graduating from Youngstown State University (YSU), he continued coaching and eventually became the head football coach at Crestview High School, where he compiled a 47–14 record. His Crestview teams won three Inter-Tri County League (ITCL) Championships and made one playoff appearance.

In 1996, Hulea returned to Poland High School as head football coach. During his tenure, his teams won three MAC Championships, made four playoff appearances, and capped his coaching career by winning the 1999 Ohio State Championship with a perfect 15–0 record, becoming the first team in Ohio to win 15 games in a single season.