Same old Ironton football.

Newly-hired Ironton football coach Merril Triplett doesn’t plan many changes as he takes over the Fighting Tigers program that belonged to Bob Lutz the past 34 years.

Triplett played for Lutz’s first two teams in 1972-73 and utilizes the same type of offense and defense.

“There’s not going to be many changes. I’ll still run the same defenses and the same T-offense. I ran from a twins formation the last few years I coached,” Triplett said. “Basically, I have to see what these kids can do and place them in the right place. I have a few ideas.”

Triplett plans to look at the quarterback situation by attending a 7-on-7 camp, but he said “we could be a good option team.”

Triplett has been able to use last season’s time as a volunteer assistant and this summer’s weightlifting program to familiarize himself with the players.

“This summer I’ve got to know the kids at weightlifting. This is a great bunch of kids that have been coached well. I’m lucky to get a great group of kids. Coach (Mark) Lewis has run a great program this summer,” Triplett said.

Lutz, who retired in May after differences with then-athletic director Terry Parker and superintendent Dean Nance, won 341 games, the second most in Ohio high school history. Triplett admitted there will be pressure to follow in Lutz’s footsteps, but he said he’s used to pressure.

“You’re going to feel added pressure stepping into Ironton, but you get to relax a little because I was there a year before and could see what these kids could do. I got to see the organization. I knew I’d be a head coach again, I didn’t know where,” Triplett said.

“There’s pressure in every job. It’s always been the same for me. I feel the pressure that I need to give the kids the best they need to compete.”

Even though Triplett spent 18 years as a head coach, he said last season’s experience was similar to a coaching clinic for him.

“When I was at practice I took in (Lutz’s) organization. There’s not a wasted moment,” Triplett said. “You can see his intensity level as the season moved along. The last five weeks you could see it build. I watched him every step. He’s the most organized man I’ve ever seen.”

Triplett has served as a head coach for 18 years including Symmes Valley, River Valley and Oak Hill. He also spent two seasons as a head coach in Montana.

He was one of 12 applicants for the job to replace Lutz. Mark Vass, who has since been hired as the athletic director, and Mark Lutz were the top two candidates. A selection committee recommended Vass while Nance pushed for Triplett.

With no decision and football season nearing, the Ironton Board of Education cut a deal Thursday to hire Triplett while Parker and Vass switched positions as athletic director and physical education teacher.

Triplett said last Sunday he was going to withdraw his name from consideration but changed his mind after one of the players asked him to take the job if neither Bob Lutz or Mark Lutz would accept the job.

“That’s best compliment I’ve ever had. It put things in perspective. I was in this to coach the kids and that’s what I’m going to do,” Triplett said.

The next task on Triplett’s list will be to assemble a coaching staff. He said he currently has some personal issues to deal with and plans to speak with potential assistants this week.