Barberton victory over Copley makes Tony Gotto all-time winningest coach in school history

Gotto now has 72 wins in his career at Barberton, surpassing Rudy Sharkey

With Barberton’s 51-47 road win over Copley on Friday night, head coach Tony Gotto became the winningest head coach in program history.

Gotto’s 72nd win surpassed the previous record of 71, set by Rudy Sharkey, whom Barberton’s football stadium is named after. The former coach compiled a record of 71-36-2 from 1972-1982, while Gotto is now 72-36 in his 9+ seasons at the helm of the Magics. Sharkey passed away earlier this year.

Gotto was hired by Barberton prior to the 2014 season after the Magics had gone 9-31 in the previous four seasons. The Magics have been above .500 in eight of his nine seasons, with the exception being the COVID-shortened season of 2020, in which Barberton went 1-4 but then picked up two wins in the postseason.

In 2017, Gotto led Barberton to its first undefeated regular season in history with a 10-0 mark. The Magics won their first two playoff games that season before falling in the regional final to eventual state champion Archbishop Hoban.

The Magics also went 10-0 in 2018 and then 9-1 in 2021. Barberton is currently 5-3 this season. 

Gotto’s 72 wins include six victories in the postseason, with two each in 2017 and 2020 and a win in 2021 and 2022.

A graduate of Barberton High School, Gotto spent time as an assistant coach at both Tallmadge and Kenmore before being named the head coach at his alma mater.  

-- Ryan Isley | ryan@scorebooklive.com | @sbliveoh

Barberton football head coach during the Magics' 2017 playoff run. (Photo by Jeff Harwell) / Jeff Harwell, SBLive Sports