Oberlin, Ohio -  Oberlin College Associate Vice President for Athletics Advancement and Delta Lodge Director of Athletics & Physical Education Natalie Winkelfoos has appointed John Pont as head football coach.
 
Pont, who was one of two finalists during Oberlin's last coaching search, has extensive coaching experience at all three levels of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
 
"We are fortunate to have the unique opportunity to bring in a leader that has familiarity with Oberlin College and one that comes highly recommended by his peers in the coaching profession," Winkelfoos said. "John is respected for his approach to teaching student-athletes and the relationships he builds with those who have played for him, and those who coach alongside him. As a department, we value care as our competitive advantage and have complete faith Coach Pont's passion for developing young men will create a culture of competitive success within the football program."

After serving as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for four years and three seasons (2017-20) at the University of Chicago prior to the pandemic, Pont spent the past two seasons (2021-22) as an offensive analyst and football athletic performance assistant at Indiana University.
 
While with the Maroons, he orchestrated an offense that averaged 30.3 points per game in 2019 while ranking 12th in the country in third-down conversion percentage (.508) and 27th in rushing offense (225.4 YPG).

In 2018, Chicago set a then school record with 365 points scored in addition to ranking seventh in the country in red zone offensive efficiency. Pont mentored quarterback Jeffrey Jackson to a single-season school-record for completion percentage (64.5%), which quarterback Marco Cobian tied in 2019.

Additionally, Pont instructed the Maroons' top two scorers in program history in running backs Chandler Carroll and Nick D'Ambrose. Carroll graduated as the career touchdown leader in 2017 with 46 scores and was recently surpassed by Nick D'Ambrose who graduated with 53 touchdowns and 318 points.

"It's truly an honor to be named the head football coach at Oberlin College," Pont said. "I am grateful to President Ambar and Director of Athletics Winkelfoos for the opportunity to step into this role and help lead the Yeomen forward. Oberlin is a genuinely unique institution that combines high academics with tremendous opportunities for life-changing experiences. I am excited to build and develop young world-changers, and lead this program to a new level of success."

Prior to his tenure in Chicago, Pont spent time at nearby Case Western University where he served as wide receivers coach and offensive passing game coordinator for two seasons (2015-16). With him on staff, the Spartans averaged 240 pass yards per game in 2016 with Brendan Lynch posting the second-most receiving yards in school history (1,049). He was part of an offensive staff that saw its unit rank 26th in nation in points per game (39.2) while mentoring quarterback Rob Cuda to University Athletic Association (UAA) Offensive Player of the Year honors.

In 2015, the Spartans ranked 32nd in Division III in total offense and 34th in passing offense. Wide receiver Bryan Erb also set a new program record with 13 touchdown receptions.

Pont served as the inside receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Akron from 2012-15 and has additional coaching stops at Miami University (Ohio), Colorado State University, University of North Texas, University of North Alabama and Florida State University.

Pont's passion for coaching was instilled in him at a young age by his grandfather, John, who won 107 games as a collegiate coach, which included time at Miami University (Ohio), Yale, Indiana, Northwestern, and Mount St. Joseph (NCAA DIII). He was honored as NCAA Division I coach of the year in 1967 after leading the Hoosiers to their lone Rose Bowl appearance in school history.

"My lifelong dream has been to follow in my grandfather's footsteps and become a head football coach," Pont added. "He passed along two lessons that have shaped my professional life: coaching is teaching, and true success comes from surrounding yourself with great people.  Oberlin College & Conservatory is a community of talented people who strive for greatness in so many amazing ways, and my wife, Casey, and I are thrilled to be here. We look forward to helping the Yeomen do great things on the playing field, in the classroom, and in our community."

Pont earned a bachelor's degree from Miami University (Ohio) in  education in 2007 and went on to receive his master's degree in physical education from Florida State University in 2009.

He replaces Steve Opgenorth who departed the College at the end of January to pursue other coaching opportunities. Pont will officially begin his new duties on February 1.