COACH DANNY STELLA IS WALKING THE WALK.
It all begins with an idea.
In every community, there are people whose presence is felt long before they ever speak. Its safe to say that if you were none the wiser and you visited the the city of Warren, Ohio (and surrounding areas as well) and simply asked about Coach Danny Stella, the odds are in favor that the general consensus would sound consistently like this, ‘Coach Stella is the Man, he always makes sure we are straight’ or, ‘That’s a good brotha, he is defiantly one of the guys out here leading our youth and steering them in the right direction’ fellow coach and colleague Oshay Jackson shared…’his presence is a steady hand, a voice of care and accountability, he’s a great mentor , and motivator he is a person who sees potential long before the young men can see it in themselves’ added coaching, mentor Alan Caldwell , who has known Stella since his youth. His influence stretches far beyond football fields and weight rooms. It lives in the hearts of the boys he helped shape into men, in the families he’s supported, and in the community that has watched him give endlessly, even when life gave him reasons to stop.
To understand Coach Stella impact, you have to look at the relationships he’s built over two decades. You can see it in the way former players still text him before job interviews, wedding days, and life changing milestones. You hear it when grown men husbands, fathers, leaders credit him for the discipline, structure, and belief system that helped them survive hard seasons of life.
“Coach didn’t just coach us,” says, a former player who is now a Coach. “He coached our character. He coached our thinking. He coached our choices. What he taught us on the field were cool, but the conversations about life off the field? That’s where the real gems are’.
Built on Family
Coach Stella’s commitment to excellence is not confined to his athletes, it is reflected in his own household. His son and namesake, Daniel aka ‘DII’, is the textbook definition of “a coach’s son.” The expectations are high, and rather than crack under the pressure, Daniel consistently exceeds them, keeps his head down and continues to work, earning a 4.0 GPA, he embodies the standard his father instills in him and his siblings.
Coach is also a proud father of 5 children Dareontai (23), Da’Najah (17), Danielle II (14), Dannielle (12), and Da’Jah (10), each one possessing their own brand of his fire, resilience, and humor. And then there is his granddaughter MaLayah (5) the tiny spark who keeps him quick, present, and full of laughter.
“They say little girls soften a man,” laughs Coach’s sister. “But his granddaughter? She keeps him sharpe.
Showing Up Every Time, Every Season
Coach’s service is not symbolic. It is tangible, measurable, and woven into every part of community life.
His Love Your Community Organization present yearly youth camps, drives players to college visits, provides meals, runs offseason conditioning programs, and supports families through hardships. The LYC organization, was created to give kids structure and positive mentorship, has grown into a sanctuary for dozens of young athletes who tap in guidance both on and off the field.
“Coach helped me a lot,” says former player Devin. “Not even because I was a bad kid, but kinda helped me get to know who I was. He gave me direction. He believed in me and that helped me believe in myself.”
His passion for storytelling and highlighting local talent led him to create a high school football podcast, ‘Between the Lines with Coach Stella’ where he breaks down games, interviews players, and celebrates the community’s football culture. It’s become a trusted platform authentic, grounded, and fueled by his love for the game and the kids who play it.
A Legacy of Light
When colleagues describe Stella, they mention “ his unmatched passion for serving and loving kids and pride in his community’ Co-Worker Melissa Weaver shared. When siblings describe him, they talk about his compassion and stubbornness the kind that refuses to let a kid fail on his watch.” When parents talk about him, they describe relief: knowing someone besides them loves their child enough to challenge them.
But it is the former players who capture him best.
“He didn’t save us,” says one. “He showed us how to save ourselves.”
“Coach never set out to be a hero, He simply chose to serve, He chose to mentor. He chose to bring structure, accountability, and hope to a generation that needs it now more than ever.”
And in the process, he chose healing not just for himself, but for a community still fighting battles he refuses to lose.
The Dedication That Moves a Community Forward
Wellness is not just about physical strength. It is about emotional resilience, community service, and choosing love even after experiencing loss. Along with a group of like minded men who all represent serving the community and making a difference Carl Diggs, Mike Phillips, Tree Warfield, Oshay Jackson, Rashawn Shannon, and more along with Coach Stella have put in the work and brought to the area a new 7v7 travel team ‘Team Work Dream Work’, and completed their inaugural season last spring. Coach embodies that truth. His life is proof that purpose can be born from pain, that leadership is an act of love, and that showing up every day, every season creates ripples that outlive the scoreboard.
His story is one of dedication, light, and legacy.
And because of him, countless young men now walk a little taller, dream a little bigger, and believe a little deeper, not just in football, but in themselves.