Eppley resigns as Northridge coach

MIDDLEBURY — Chad Eppley, who coached the Northridge High football team to the program’s only trip the IHSAA state finals in his first season, resigned his post after five years on the job.

“I’m doing this on my own ... there was no pressure,’’ Eppley said when reached Tuesday morning. “I just need to focus on myself and my family.’’

Eppley was just named the new boys track coach at Northridge earlier this fall and he’ll remain in that position.

“Coach Eppley did things the right way,’’ Northridge athletic director Ryan Bales said. “He always put the players first no matter the situation he was dealing with or the opponent he was going up against, but he never lost belief in the players.

“So many times in the past five years we came in as an underdog and he found a way for us to be competitive and in a lot of cases found ways to win. I am grateful for the time we have had together and I am thankful he is remaining here at NHS as a teacher and track coach. We are a better school with people like him in our building.’’

Eppley, who was an assistant at Northridge under former coach Tom Wogeman, became the head coach in 2021 at the age of 28.

The Raiders promptly went on a run in Class 4A that included a sectional and regional title, then a victory over New Prairie on a bitterly cold night to reach the state title game.

Despite the loss to Mount Vernon in the state championship game, the Raiders posted a 10-5 mark for the year.

Northridge was 8-5 and won a sectional title the next season, losing to eventual state finalist New Prairie in the regional The Raiders were 9-3 in 2023, this time losing to another state runner-up (NorthWood) in the sectional finals.

Two young Raider teams then fell to 3-7 and 3-8 the last two seasons, losing 14-7 to eventual sectional and regional champion South Bend St. Joseph this past year.

There is plenty of optimism around the program though, as the Northridge freshman lost only once last season, while both the seventh and eighth grade teams were unbeaten.

Bales said the search for a new coach will begin immediately.

“I am honored to have had the opportunity to lead this program for the last five years,’’ Eppley said. “I was able to work with incredible athletes, coaches and support staff along the way. But for the betterment of myself and my family, I have decided it’s best for me to step down.

“I am extremely proud of everything my players, my coaching staff and I have accomplished during my time. I came in to the program preaching family and my hope is that the student-athletes and the coaches felt that. I just want to thank everyone who helped and supported me along the way.’’