Milford Schools’ “Meet Your Coach” series highlights the coaches who lead, mentor and support our student-athletes. Our next feature introduces Tom Grippa, head coach of the Milford High School Football team.

This season marks Grippa’s 49th year as a teacher and coach and his 10th year leading the Eagles. Since arriving at Milford in 2017, he has guided the program to two Eastern Cincinnati Conference championships, multiple playoff appearances, the first playoff victory in program history and Milford’s first 10-0 season.

Grippa also holds the distinction of being Milford football’s all-time winningest head coach. He broke the record on Sept. 13, 2024, when the Eagles defeated Loveland 19-12 to give him his 54th victory at Milford. The win moved him past former record-holder Jim Prather.

Grippa began his head coaching career at Elder High School, where he compiled an 85-23 record from 1987 to 1997. He then coached at Fairfield High School, finishing with a 31-32 record and leading the program to a playoff victory in 2000. Grippa later posted a 59-44 record during 10 seasons at La Salle High School before serving as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Mount St. Joseph University from 2013 to 2016.

Throughout his head coaching career, Grippa has compiled a 235-139 record and led teams to nine conference championships. His teams won six Greater Catholic League championships in 1988, 1989, 1991, 1995, 1996 and 2010, a Greater Miami Conference championship in 1999 and Eastern Cincinnati Conference championships with Milford in 2017 and 2023.

Get to know Coach Grippa in his own words:

What is one of your favorite memories from coaching at Milford?

“I have two favorite memories. In 2018, we hosted a very good Fairfield team. Midway through the third quarter, we were down 35-7, but we came roaring back to win 39-35.

“The second came in 2023 against Winton Woods. We took a 3-0 lead with fewer than two minutes remaining. Winton Woods drove down the field and attempted a field goal to tie the game with 10 seconds left. As the kick went up, it looked good, and I was mentally preparing for overtime. However, it doinked off the upright, and we won the game to secure Milford’s first 10-0 season.”

What is a fun fact about you?

“My son, Jimmy, teaches at Milford Academy and serves as Milford’s defensive coordinator. My two grandsons are also Eagles football players. Liam Farrell is a freshman, and Graeme Farrell is an eighth-grader. At Milford, football is truly a family affair!”