Ron Stoops Jr. is a well-known football coach in Youngstown, Ohio, recognized for his successful career at both the high school and collegiate levels.
While his brothers Bob, Mike, and Mark gained national recognition in college football, Ron Jr. chose a quieter path, staying true to his roots in Ohio.
By his side through decades of coaching and family life is his wife, Bonnie Petrony Stoops, a woman whose support has been the backbone of their tight-knit family.
Together, they’ve built a life centered on family, football, and community in Youngstown.
Bonnie Petrony Stoops is The Heart of the Family
Ron Stoops Jr.’s wife, Bonnie Petrony Stoops, has been his partner in life since their marriage in September 1981.
Born and raised in Boardman, Ohio, Bonnie is the daughter of Dorothy and Frank Petrony.
She grew up alongside her siblings, Elaine, Marilyn, and John in a close-knit family that shared the same community values as the Stoops.
While little is publicly known about Bonnie’s professional life, her role as a devoted wife, mother, and pillar of the Stoops family is undeniable.
Bonnie and Ron Jr. have four children: Melanie, Ron, Joey, and John.
Raising a family while supporting Ron Jr.’s demanding coaching career required resilience and dedication.
Bonnie has remained a private figure, choosing to focus on her family rather than the public spotlight often associated with the Stoops name.
Her strength has allowed Ron Jr. to thrive in his career, from his early days coaching high school football to his current role at YSU.
Whether cheering from the sidelines or managing the home front, Bonnie has been a continuous source of support, helping Ron Jr. balance the pressures of coaching with the joys of family life.
A Coaching Legacy Rooted in Youngstown
Born in the late 1950s to Ron Sr. and Evelyn “Dee Dee” Stoops, Ron Jr. grew up in a football-obsessed family.
His father, a legendary defensive coordinator at Cardinal Mooney High School, established a passion for the game in all four Stoops brothers.
Ron Jr. graduated from Youngstown State University (YSU) in 1980 with a bachelor’s degree in education and later earned a master’s from the University of Dayton.
His coaching career kicked off as an assistant at Youngstown South High School (1978–1979) under his uncle, Bob Stoops.
From there, he coached at Ursuline High School (1980), Canton Central Catholic (1981–1986), and Boardman High School (1987–1999), where he helped lead teams to a Division I state championship game in 1987 and a state semifinal in 1995.
In 2001, Ron Jr. returned to Cardinal Mooney High School as defensive coordinator and running backs coach under head coach P.J. Fecko.
Over nine years, he helped the Cardinals achieve a remarkable 90-27 record, securing Ohio Division IV state titles in 2004 and 2006, a Division III title in 2009, and runner-up finishes in 2005 and 2007.
His fundraising efforts also revitalized the program, boosting team morale and community support.
Since 2010, Ron Jr. has served as an assistant coach at YSU, where he’s currently the special teams coordinator and linebackers coach for the 2024–2025 season.
His special teams shone in 2016, with placekicker Zak Kennedy tying a school record for 19 field goals and punter Mark Schuler earning All-Missouri Valley honors.
In 2015, as co-defensive coordinator, Ron Jr. guided YSU’s defense to rank first in the FCS for fewest passing yards allowed.
Unlike his brothers, who chased high-profile college coaching roles, Ron Jr. found his calling in Youngstown, embracing a community-driven approach much like his father.
His dedication to local football and family life is matched only by the unwavering support of his wife, Bonnie.
The Stoops Family’s Legacy in Football is Upheld by Ron Jr. and Bonnie
While Ron Jr. has spent over four decades shaping young athletes and building winning teams, Bonnie has been the anchor, keeping their family grounded.
Their four children have grown up in a household where football, faith, and community intertwine, showing the values Ron Jr. learned from his parents and passed on with Bonnie’s help.
Today, Ron Jr. and Bonnie continue to live in Youngstown, where they remain active in the community that shaped them.
As Ron Jr. leads YSU’s special teams and linebackers in the 2024–2025 season, Bonnie remains by his side, a quiet but essential part of his success.
Their enduring partnership, rooted in love and mutual respect, is a evidence to the strength of family in the face of a demanding career.
In a town where football is king, Bonnie Petrony Stoops is the queen behind Ron Stoops Jr.’s coaching throne, proving that behind every great coach is a partner who makes it all possible.
In Case You Didn’t
- Ron is the oldest brother Kentucky Head Coach Mark Stoops.
- former collegiate head coach Bob Stoops (Oklahoma) and Mike Stoops (Arizona).
