Northridge is hiring Luke Amstutz as its new head football coach, the Raiders announced.

Amstutz was 126-54 in 16 seasons at Angola and East Noble, leading East Noble to the state finals in 2019. He left coaching to become Athletic Director at East Noble in 2023.

“My family and I are extremely excited for the opportunity to lead the Northridge football program and become a part of a great community,” Amstutz said in a statement released by the school. “Our years at East Noble were some of the best years of our lives and we are proud to have been a part of developing a strong tradition of excellence. We will dearly miss the relationship we have built with so many friends, colleagues and hard work student athletes. The time has come for a chance for our family and we are looking forward to our future in green and gold. Go Raiders!”

Amstutz was approved at the Middlebury Community School Board meeting on Tuesday. He replaces Chad Eppley who stepped down after five seasons.

He began his head coaching career at Angola in 2008, then spent 12 seasons as the head coach at East Noble. In 16 his seasons as a head coach, he won six conference championships, two sectional titles, a regional championship and a SemiState championship.

“We are very excited to not only be bringing a very talented head football coach to Northridge, but also a person who is a dedicated husband, father, and role model,” Northridge Athletic Director Ryan Bales said in a statement. “We feel we have some talent within the present and future football program, but it is our belief that Coach Amstutz will be someone who can take us to the next level due to his knowledge of the game of football, ability to develop his roster and coaching staff, and build positive relationships amongst the players he coaches and also within the community. Coach Amstutz comes highly respected amongst his coaching peers and we are now looking forward to having him on our team. We are also excited to welcome an amazing new family to our school and community!”

“Our search for the next leader of Raider Football was thorough and thoughtful,” added Middlebury Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Jayson Snyder. “Throughout the process Coach Amstutz continued to rise to the top. His successful experiences, passion, character, and ability to connect with students, staff, and families make him an ideal fit for our community. We are excited for what his leadership will mean for our student-athletes and the Raider family as we move forward.”

Northridge won just three games in both 2024 and 2025 following four straight winning seasons, including a trip to the state finals in 2021.