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5 Shocking Facts About North Central High School Football: The Collin Coffer Era And The Rise Of The Panthers

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The North Central High School Football program in Indianapolis is undergoing a dramatic transformation, positioning itself for a major comeback after a challenging few seasons. As of December 25, 2025, the buzz around the Panthers is palpable, fueled by the arrival of a new Head Coach and a few landmark victories that have reset expectations for the future of the program. Fans and rivals alike are closely watching the trajectory of the team as they navigate the highly competitive Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) landscape.

The 2025 season marked the beginning of a new era, characterized by a renewed focus on discipline and a fresh coaching philosophy. While the season record of 2-8 may not immediately jump off the page, a historic win streak-breaker and the competitive spirit shown in the Sectional tournament have provided a solid foundation for Head Coach Collin Coffer to build upon. This deep dive explores the current status of the Panthers, the pivotal coaching change, and the lasting legacy of its most famous football alumni.

The Legacy of Panthers: Notable Alumni and Player Biographies

North Central High School has a proud history of producing high-caliber athletes who have gone on to succeed at the collegiate and professional levels. These players not only represent the school's athletic tradition but also serve as powerful motivators for the current roster. The most prominent recent figure to emerge from the program is defensive tackle Darius Latham.

Darius Latham: From Panther to Raider

Darius Latham is a premier example of the talent that has passed through the North Central football program. He played both defensive and offensive line for the Panthers and quickly established himself as a dominant force on the field. His high school performance earned him significant accolades, including being named to the Indiana Football Coaches Association (IFCA) Top 50 list and receiving All-State honors.

  • Full Name: Darius Latham
  • High School: North Central High School (Indianapolis, IN)
  • Position: Defensive Tackle (DT)
  • College: Indiana University (Indiana Hoosiers)
  • Notable Collegiate Career: Declared for the NFL Draft in December 2015 after a successful career with the Hoosiers, finishing with 81 total tackles and 7.5 sacks.
  • Professional Career: Played for the Oakland Raiders in the National Football League (NFL) for two seasons.

Latham's journey from the Indianapolis gridiron to the NFL is a testament to the development potential within the North Central system. Other notable football alumni include Courtney Roby, a former wide receiver who also played in the NFL, further solidifying the program's connection to professional football.

The New Era Under Head Coach Collin Coffer: 2025 Season Recap

The 2025 season marked a definitive turning point with the appointment of Indianapolis native Collin Coffer as the new Head Football Coach. Coffer, who previously played at Lawrence North High School and the University of Indianapolis, brought a fresh perspective and a focus on instilling discipline and a winning culture.

Breaking the Losing Streak

One of the most significant moments of the 2025 campaign was the Panthers’ victory over Brebeuf Jesuit, a 35-15 win that was historic for the program. This victory was the first for the North Central Varsity Boys Football team since October 8, 2021, effectively snapping a long and frustrating losing streak that had plagued the team for several seasons. This single game provided the spark of hope and tangible evidence that the new coaching staff's methods were beginning to yield results.

Coach Coffer’s impact was immediate, despite the challenging schedule. The team finished the 2025 season with a 2-8 record, a significant improvement in competitive spirit and overall performance compared to the previous two seasons under Derek Hart, which saw a combined 0-20 record.

Key Games and Sectional Performance

The Panthers faced a grueling schedule in the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference (MIC), one of the toughest conferences in Indiana high school football. Key matchups throughout the season tested the team's resolve and showcased the areas where the new coaching staff is focusing its development efforts. The most recent major contest was the IHSAA Sectional tournament game against Decatur Central High School on October 31, 2025, which North Central lost with a final score of 21-42.

Despite the loss, the team's ability to put up 21 points against a strong opponent in the Sectional round demonstrates a competitive fire that was missing in previous years. This performance, along with the win against Brebeuf Jesuit, has been crucial in building confidence and momentum heading into the offseason and the 2026 season. The coaching staff, including assistants like JaQuan Buchanan and William Loggan, are focused on leveraging this progress to compete for a Sectional title in the near future.

The Path Forward: Recruiting, Rivalries, and Topical Authority

The future of North Central High School football hinges on sustained momentum, successful recruiting, and navigating their historic rivalries. The Panthers play in a demanding environment, making topical authority and local engagement essential for growth.

Competitive Landscape and Key Rivalries

The Panthers' schedule is dominated by conference foes in the MIC. Success in this conference is a direct indicator of a team's strength in Indiana high school football. The focus is always on improving performance against rivals such as Carmel, Lawrence North, and Warren Central. The development of a strong, disciplined program under Coach Coffer is the first step toward regaining parity in these high-stakes matchups.

Recruiting and Program Development

The coaching staff is actively working to identify and develop top-tier talent from the Indianapolis area. The success of alumni like Darius Latham and the program's recent, albeit limited, victories serve as powerful recruiting tools. The emphasis under Coach Coffer is on building a cohesive team unit, focusing on fundamentals, and ensuring players are academically and athletically prepared for the next level, whether that is college football or beyond.

The Panthers are a team on the rise. While the 2025 season was a step in the right direction, the real measure of success for the Collin Coffer era will be sustained competitiveness, a stronger presence in the IHSAA State Tournament, and the continued development of young talent. The foundation has been laid, the historic losing streak is broken, and the North Central community is eagerly awaiting the next chapter in Panthers football history.

5 Shocking Facts About North Central High School Football: The Collin Coffer Era and the Rise of the Panthers
north central high school football
north central high school football

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