Bishop Hartley Introduces New Head Football Coach Matt Melle
Bishop Hartley High School Welcomes Matthew Melle as New Head Football Coach
COLUMBUS, OH (January 27, 2025) — Bishop Hartley High School, a Catholic, co-ed, college preparatory
high school serving the East side of Columbus, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Matthew Melle as the
new Head Coach of the Bishop Hartley Hawks football team. With an impressive track record and a deep
passion for developing both the athletic and personal potential of student-athletes, Coach Melle is poised to
lead the Hawks to new heights.
Coach Melle brings more than 20 years of coaching experience, most recently serving as defensive
coordinator at Bishop Hartley. Prior to that, he served in various coaching positions at Ohio high schools as
well as Cathedral Prep High School, McDowell High School, and Mercyhurst University, all in Erie, PA. He also
founded and directed Erie Area Coaches Clinic, providing networking support and professional development to
more than 300 coaches over the course of five years. Coach Melle was also recognized as NCL White Division
Coach of the Year while in the head coaching position at Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School in Cleveland.
Coach Melle’s innovative strategies led teams to several championship victories. Known for his commitment to
excellence and his ability to inspire young athletes, Melle is highly respected within the high school football
community. Melle and his wife, Melissa, are already deeply involved in the Columbus, Catholic, and Hartley
communities as parishioners of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Pickerington, and parents to a 2024 graduate of
Hartley, a current junior at Hartley, an incoming freshman, and a 6th grader at St. Pius X in Reynoldsburg.
"We are excited to welcome Coach Matthew Melle to his new role in the Bishop Hartley family," said Principal
Christopher Kowalski. "His leadership skills, dedication, and vision align perfectly with our school's mission. We
are confident he will build upon our football program’s legacy while fostering a faith-filled and positive
experience for our student-athletes."
In addition to his coaching duties, Melle will continue as an educator at Bishop Hartley, emphasizing academic
excellence and community involvement among his players. His holistic approach to coaching aims to develop
well-rounded individuals who excel on and off the field.
"It is an honor to accept the Head Football Coach position at Bishop Hartley,” Coach Melle stated. “I am
humbled to take over a program with such a strong culture and established level of success. It is a tremendous
challenge and opportunity for not only me, but the young men in the program as we continue to defend our
traditions and honor the program's legacy."
COLUMBUS, OH (January 27, 2025) — Bishop Hartley High School, a Catholic, co-ed, college preparatory
high school serving the East side of Columbus, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Matthew Melle as the
new Head Coach of the Bishop Hartley Hawks football team. With an impressive track record and a deep
passion for developing both the athletic and personal potential of student-athletes, Coach Melle is poised to
lead the Hawks to new heights.
Coach Melle brings more than 20 years of coaching experience, most recently serving as defensive
coordinator at Bishop Hartley. Prior to that, he served in various coaching positions at Ohio high schools as
well as Cathedral Prep High School, McDowell High School, and Mercyhurst University, all in Erie, PA. He also
founded and directed Erie Area Coaches Clinic, providing networking support and professional development to
more than 300 coaches over the course of five years. Coach Melle was also recognized as NCL White Division
Coach of the Year while in the head coaching position at Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School in Cleveland.
Coach Melle’s innovative strategies led teams to several championship victories. Known for his commitment to
excellence and his ability to inspire young athletes, Melle is highly respected within the high school football
community. Melle and his wife, Melissa, are already deeply involved in the Columbus, Catholic, and Hartley
communities as parishioners of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Pickerington, and parents to a 2024 graduate of
Hartley, a current junior at Hartley, an incoming freshman, and a 6th grader at St. Pius X in Reynoldsburg.
"We are excited to welcome Coach Matthew Melle to his new role in the Bishop Hartley family," said Principal
Christopher Kowalski. "His leadership skills, dedication, and vision align perfectly with our school's mission. We
are confident he will build upon our football program’s legacy while fostering a faith-filled and positive
experience for our student-athletes."
In addition to his coaching duties, Melle will continue as an educator at Bishop Hartley, emphasizing academic
excellence and community involvement among his players. His holistic approach to coaching aims to develop
well-rounded individuals who excel on and off the field.
"It is an honor to accept the Head Football Coach position at Bishop Hartley,” Coach Melle stated. “I am
humbled to take over a program with such a strong culture and established level of success. It is a tremendous
challenge and opportunity for not only me, but the young men in the program as we continue to defend our
traditions and honor the program's legacy."
