Hall of Fame
Jerry Buti was a four-year member of the FC football team, serving as captain during his senior season. Buti honored his coaching and administrative talents, at three different Ohio high schools, serving first at Van Wert from 1977 to 1989, at Findlay in 189-90, and beginning in 1990 at Defiance, where he now serves dually as the head football coach and athletic director. At Van Wert, Buti led both the track and football teams to Western Buckeye League titles, and the football team made its first two appearances in the OHSAA playoffs in 1985 and 1986 while going 42-27-1 in seven seasons. That was followed by a one-year stint at Findlay High School and a 6-4 record. Defiance High School provided the venue for Buti to showcase his coaching talents. During 18 years as head track coach, Buti’s teams won seven Western Buckeye League championships and only lost two dual meets. Buti became best-known as a head football coach, however, winning four WBL titles, one OHSAA regional titles plus four runner-up finishes, and the Division II OHSAA Championship in 1997. As the winningest football coach in Defiance history, his teams have compiled a 21-year record of 149 wins and 77 losses. Buti’s composite football record is 197-108-1. Buti was honored in 1997 as the Ohio High School Coach of the Year in Division II. He also has been named WBL track coach of the year eight times and football coach of the year five times, and has received the Toledo Chapter National Football Foundation Outstanding Coach Award on three occasions. Buti and his wife, Beth, have two adult children, Brooke and Vince.
