Milford athletics is under new leadership following a few uneasy months in the administration department.
Milford Schools adopted a new leadership structure to enhance athletics, extracurricular activities and student engagement in grades 7–12, while prioritizing fiscal responsibility, beginning at the start of the 2026-27 school year in August.
The restructuring stems from the suspension and ongoing termination process of previous athletics director Aaron Zupka following alleged failure to report potential child abuse or neglect as a mandatory reporter, and accuses Zupka of misappropriating more than $91,000 in sponsorship funds.
Changes include Mark Trout being elevated as the district’s athletic director after leading its junior high athletics, and former longtime Milford softball coach Christy Gregory moving from the diamond to an administrative role as the associate principal of student activities.
TROUT
Trout will lead as Director of Athletics, overseeing grades seventh through 12th-grade sports programs. He has 33 years of experience, including 21 as an athletic administrator.
“I am honored to continue serving Milford Schools in this expanded role,” Trout said in a press release from Milford Schools. “Over the past 33 years, I have had the privilege of working alongside outstanding student-athletes, coaches, families and staff members who have helped build a strong tradition of excellence. I look forward to continuing to support and strengthen the athletic programs that make Milford such a special place for our students.”
Trout takes over for Zupka, who held the position since 2019.
At its Jan. 15 meeting, the Milford Exempted Village School Board unanimously voted to place Zupka on unpaid leave and approved a resolution to pursue his termination. The Milford school board planned to hold termination proceedings at a public meeting Feb. 19 before Zupka appealed the board’s decision.
The resolution to seek termination followed a recommendation from Interim Superintendent T.J. Glassmeyer, who stated that the athletic director should be terminated and suspended immediately without pay “for good and just cause.”
The recommendation cited failure to report potential child abuse or neglect as a mandatory reporter and accuses Zupka of misappropriating more than $91,000 in sponsorship funds.
These allegations followed a months-long investigation by Ennis Britton Consulting Group, a third-party investigative team, which resulted in Zupka being placed on paid leave on Nov. 6, 2025.
The investigation concluded that Zupka failed to report “substantiated” sexual misconduct allegations, misappropriated sponsorship funds and shared confidential student information.
JOSH MCDANIEL
McDaniel will remain in his current role as assistant athletic director with expanded responsibilities.
Since 2024, McDaniel has supported student-athletes, coaches and families. Following Zupka’s administrative leave in November, McDaniel assumed additional athletic department responsibilities while continuing to serve in his role as assistant athletic director.
“I am excited for the opportunity to continue growing as a leader within Milford Schools,” McDaniel said. “This role will allow me to expand my support of our student-athletes and coaches while also building relationships with our middle school programs.”
JOHN COLE
Cole joins the district as an assistant athletic director. He holds a sports management degree from Mount St. Joseph University and most recently led Norwood City Schools’ athletics and varsity baseball program.
“I am looking forward to contributing to the athletic department at Milford and supporting our coaches, student-athletes, and families,” Cole said. “I am eager to be part of the Milford community, build meaningful relationships, and join the continued success of Milford Athletics.”
GREGORY
Gregory becomes the associate principal of student activities at Milford High School. She will oversee athletics and extracurriculars for grades seventh to 12 and act as liaison to booster and parent groups.
Gregory was Milford’s softball coach for 24 seasons and was recently the 12th-grade assistant principal. She retired from coaching following the 2026 spring season.
“Milford athletics has been a major part of my life for more than two decades, and I am excited for the opportunity to serve students in this new capacity,” Gregory said. “Throughout my career as a coach and assistant principal, I have been passionate about helping students reach their full potential. I look forward to supporting student success across all extracurricular programs and helping create meaningful opportunities that allow every student to grow, connect, and thrive.”