A Familiar Face Returns
Russ Swartz, a 1986 graduate of Hiram College, is back at the helm of the Mogadore Wildcats boys’ basketball program after a brief retirement that ended last year. He previously spent 17 seasons coaching the Wildcats, amassing 501 career victories, and most recently served as an assistant at Uniontown Lake High School.
His return is driven by the creation of the Greater Portage Athletic Conference, a new league that will bring Mogadore back together with several longtime Portage County rivals. Swartz says the familiar conference schedule and the chance to work with players who already know his system give him a unique opportunity to hit the ground running.
Swartz’s younger brother, Rod Swartz, will not be on the coaching staff this season; instead, Rod plans to spend the winter cheering from the bleachers for his own grandchildren. The family connection adds a personal layer to the coach’s renewed commitment.
A New Era for the Wildcats
In his last stint with a different program, Swartz helped transform a three‑win 2024‑25 squad into an eight‑win team the following year, a turnaround that illustrates his ability to develop talent quickly. He believes the Wildcats can build on that momentum, leveraging the experience and familiarity of most of his roster as the 2027‑28 school year approaches.