MEDINA -- The long search is over for Medina's new football coach.

Former Avon Lake and Kenton offensive coordinator Larry Laird was named to the position Saturday, succeeding Greg Reed, who stepped down immediately after the 2009 season.

"Coach Laird brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Medina," Bees athletic director Jeff Harrison said. "We as a district are looking forward to his leadership with the young men involved with Medina football."

Laird comes to the Northeast Ohio Conference after a successful eight-year stay at Avon Lake, where he served as associate head coach and offensive coordinator. The Shoremen won the 2003 OHSAA Division II state championship, lost the state title game in 2004, and qualified for the playoffs in seven of the last eight seasons.

While at Kenton, Laird helped the Wildcats win the 2001 OHSAA Division IV state crown. He previously was the head coach at Goshen in Southwest Ohio, near Cincinnati.

Laird's formal hiring will occur Monday at the Medina Board o...