The North Coast Conference was established on May 31, 2023, by seven Cleveland-area high schools: Beaumont, Lake Catholic, Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin, and Padua Franciscan moved from the disbanding Crown Conference;[2] Elyria Catholic and Holy Name moved from the Great Lakes Conference, and Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy moved from the Principals Athletic Conference.[1] All founding schools except CVCA were also members of the former North Coast League, which played from 1984 to 2020.
Benedictine announced in January 2025, they would be joining the North Coast Conference for all sports except football effective the 2025-26 school year. Benedictine will not be joining for football until the 2027-28 school year. The move brings the conference to 8 overall members, with 7 of 8 schools competing in boys sports.[3]
Lutheran West announced in May 2025, that they will join the North Coast Conference for all sports in 2027, moving from the Chagrin Valley Conference.[4]