Andrew John Saris

"A good coach will make his players see what they can be rather than what they are.” -Ara Parseghian

Andrew John Saris was born May 3, 1987, in Barberton, Ohio, to Charles and Christine Saris. The youngest of three, the family moved to Smithville, where Andrew was raised in a loving home and on the gridiron, as his father was a football coach. He and his siblings never fought growing up, and as adults they only argued about Andrew stealing candy out of their Christmas stockings. Andrew considered his brother, Matthew, his hero and best friend. He had a close relationship with his sister, Julie, as well, who he was very similar to and with whom he enjoyed discussing all of the documentaries they watched.

Andrew was athletic from the beginning. He walked at nine months, hit wiffle balls over the house when he was two, climbed up on the roof when he was three, and won all sorts of athletic contests and titles from childhood through college. His accomplishments included earning All-Ohio Defensive Back at Smithville High School, and serving as the captain of the track team at Walsh University. On August 8, 2026, Andrew will be inducted into the Smithville All Sports Hall of Fame.

After graduating from Walsh University in 2011, Andrew began his teaching and coaching career at Madison High School. His time at Madison gave him some of the best mentors he could ever have, and really shaped his career. He was particularly grateful and had the utmost respect for Sean Conway and Matt Godsil; they became Andrew's family as he was starting out in a new town. Andrew worked at Madison from 2012-2022 as a chemistry teacher, head track coach, and assistant football coach. When the opportunity to lead the football program at Lexington High School presented itself, Andrew transferred there to be the head coach and Dean of Students beginning in the 2022-2023 school year. At both Madison and Lexington, in the classroom and on the field, Andrew's calm demeanor, patience, and compassion helped and inspired students. Andrew had really good coaches growing up, and he wanted to give that support and mentorship to the kids he worked with as well. Yet he was never one to take credit for his students' or team's successes. Andrew's focus was always on the kids. He never wanted the spotlight or to take attention away from anyone else's success by talking about himself. His humility was just one aspect of what made him a true gentleman.

Yet football was only one part of who Andrew was. He had an inquisitive mind and a genuine curiosity about the world. His love of science naturally led him to teaching chemistry, and he delighted in asking questions, learning new things, and helping others discover the answers for themselves. He loved music - teaching himself to play guitar in college, and could spend hours talking about movies and documentaries - often quoting lines from his favorites. More than any hobby, though, Andrew loved people. Whether talking with a student after practice, spending time with friends, or catching up with family, he made others feel seen, valued, and important.

Football may have been Andrew's calling, but Erin, Henry, and Mia were his heart. Erin noticed Andrew the first time he walked into her workplace in 2015. They made each other laugh when he quoted South Park and secured a date. His parents told him to not bring a girl home again until he found the one; and Erin, despite not knowing or loving football, was the one. He was the yin to her yang and would do anything for Erin, do anything to make her happy, no questions asked. They were teammates in life, were each other’s priority, and would support each other no matter what. Andrew and Erin were married on June 16, 2018. Andrew was thrilled when he and Erin found out they were expecting; their children were his true joy. Their son Henry inherited many of his dad's qualities, including his strong interest in athletics. Like Andrew, he was walking at just nine months old and loves any sport that uses a ball. He and Henry started a tradition to golf every week and they loved cheering on college and professional football teams together, even though Andrew - always non-confrontational - would cheer for Michigan over OSU. Their daughter, Mia, was a daddy’s girl and she had Andrew wrapped around her finger. They would go on daddy-daughter dates, including dressing up and flowers. Mia’s big personality would never fail to make Andrew laugh.

Football remained one of Andrew’s greatest passions, and an excitable, loud side of him was usually seen on the sidelines. Andrew’s wife and children never failed to support him, never missing a game. His son, at four and five years old, would be explaining the game to his mom. One season, games had to be played on Henry’s and Mia’s birthdays and Andrew encouraged the team to win for his kids, which they did - making Andrew even more proud of his athletes and loving the connection with his family.

Andrew believed coaching was never just about football. It was about building young men of character, creating lifelong relationships, and treating teammates like family. He and Erin found that same sense of family within the coaching community, where fellow coaches and their wives embraced them from the beginning. Long after graduation, Andrew's players continued to call, visit, and seek his advice. In the days following his passing, many reached out asking how they could help Erin and the children—even offering to mow the lawn or care for the family's needs. In the end, the family Andrew built through football cared for his own, just as he had cared for theirs. This is one of Andrew’s greatest victories, nothing measured on a scoreboard, but in the men he helped shape—men who, years later, instinctively showed up for his family because he had first shown them how to care for others.

Andrew is survived by his wife, Erin Saris; children, Henry and Mia Saris; his parents, Charles and Christine Saris; siblings Matthew (Bethany) Saris, and Julie (Ben) Gadfield; mother-in-law and father-in-law Cheryl and Kevin Arnold; eight nieces and nephews: Lexi, Jill, Zachary, Alli, Adam, Mackie, Kaitlyn, and Zach, many of which affectionately called him Uncle Aboo; two grandmother-in-laws, Mae Seamour and Marilyn Arnold; friends that are true family, Adrienne and Kevin Schaefer, Jami and Maria Masi, Nicole Bee; and numerous other family members, friends, and current and former students and athletes from Smithville, Madison, Lexington, and all other community support.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, John and Loretta Saris; his maternal grandparents, Andrew and Verna Bodnar; and two grandfather-in-laws, Eddie Seamour and James Arnold.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Madison Middle School, 1419 Grace Street, Mansfield, Ohio, where family and friends are welcome to gather in remembrance and celebration of Andrew's life. The family will hold a private funeral service, Andrew will be laid to rest at Windsor Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Andrew’s honor to Madison High School or Lexington High School Athletic Departments to assist students in Pay to Play.

Wappner Funeral Directors-Ontario are honored to serve the family of Andrew John Saris.