It's official for Woodridge: "Scrap Iron" is back.

Phil Martter was hired by the Woodridge Board of Education on Tuesday to fill the head football coaching job at his alma mater. The 2007 Woodridge graduate takes over after Jeff Decker stepped down as head coach in January.

"It was starting to become really real last night," Martter said Wednesday. "I honestly was starting to get choked up. This is a special place."

Along with coaching, Martter will serve Woodridge Local Schools as a wellness and engagement specialist.

Woodridge athletic director Nick Mayer is pumped to have Martter back.

"For a guy like Phil to be back here with our kids is great," Mayer said. "He's a great person, first and foremost. He is a huge relationship-type person. We're just so excited for him to be working with our kids and working in our district."

The Woodridge Athletic Hall of Fame inducted Martter in 2020 for his career in football and wrestling. He graduated from the University of Akron in 2012 with a degree in physical education.

Since 2015, Martter has taught physical education and coached at Canton McKinley High School. In addition to coaching football at McKinley through 2021, Martter has been the school's head wrestling coach since 2016.

"I told this to people at McKinley, 'I love my guys. I love the football community at McKinley. There was only one place that I would leave for,'" Martter said. "I left a special football community. I think it can be just as special here."

Martter lives in Cuyahoga Falls with his wife, Jill, and son, Phillip Jr. He notes family is big reason to come back. His father, Steve Martter, will serve as Woodridge's defensive coordinator.

Martter said all other coaching decisions are "up in the air," but he credited Decker for helping during the transition.

"Decker's been a great, great help," Martter said. "Anything at all, he's been there for me. Some coaches would say 'See you later,' but Jeff's still in the building and I know I can probably use him as a resource."

Martter said he wants his team to be known for "unmatched effort," noting he is still forming his plans for Woodridge's offense.

"My biggest focus is us," he said. "The only thing I can control is my guys. I know I've got a lot of work to do, because there are a lot of good teams in Northeast Ohio."

Woodridge finished as co-champions of the Metro Athletic Conference in 2022. The Bulldogs open the 2023 season at home Aug. 18 against Revere.

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This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Phil Martter hired has Woodridge High School head football coach