Valley Forge High School Welcomes Back Nick Ciulli as Head Football Coach

Valley Forge High School has announced the hiring of Nick Ciulli as its new head football coach, bringing back a familiar face with a long record of experience and competitive success. Ciulli, who previously led the Patriots from 1999 to 2002, returns to oversee the football program and guide it into its next phase of development on and off the field.

Ciulli arrives at Valley Forge after 21 seasons as head coach at North Royalton High School, where he compiled an overall record of 105–113 while directing one of the more consistent playoff programs in the region. Under his leadership, North Royalton reached the postseason in 2007, 2009, 2012, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2024. The 2007 appearance marked the school’s first playoff berth, and in 2012 his team delivered North Royalton’s first playoff win in school history. His programs have been noted for emphasizing accountability, sustained effort and academic success alongside on-field performance.

This will be Ciulli’s second tenure at Valley Forge. As head football coach from 1999 to 2002, he posted a 19–12 record and led the Patriots to an 8–3 season in 2002, culminating in a Division I Region I playoff berth. That 2002 appearance was the first playoff qualification in the history of the Valley Forge football program, establishing a benchmark for future teams and connecting Ciulli’s name to one of the school’s key athletic milestones.

Over the course of his career, Ciulli has earned multiple coaching honors at the local, district and state levels. He was named All-Ohio Division I Coach of the Year in 2007 and that same year was recognized as Northeast Ohio District Coach of the Year, Greater Cleveland Coaches Association Coach of the Year and recipient of the Cleveland Touchdown Club’s Eloise Tressel Award. He has also been selected Lake Erie League (Erie Division) Coach of the Year in 2002, Northeast Ohio Conference Coach of the Year in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2012, and most recently Suburban League National Division Coach of the Year in 2024.

As head coach of the Patriots, Ciulli is expected to draw on that background to strengthen program culture, improve consistency and pursue postseason qualification within the competitive landscape of Ohio high school football. His track record of building playoff teams and maintaining academic standards is anticipated to shape the expectations for players and staff as Valley Forge looks to compete at a high level while representing the school and community.

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