Facebook App
Phil Smith Jr., one of our most frequent commentators, has an interesting question: Who are the top 20 high school football coaches in Illinois?
He thinks the quality of football in Illinois is improving because (1) the Chicago Public League has introduced an elementary school program to promote more interest among pre-teens and (2) the quality of college programs has improved at smaller colleges.
Right on both counts. Former Julian coach J.W. Smith, who once was the supervisor of the Public League's sports programs, deserves credit for starting the elementary school program. It has been very successful and helpful in improving programs at several schools, including Morgan Park, Hubbard and Simeon.
Many Illinois products who weren't recruited by Illinois, Northwestern, Northern Illinois or Big Ten schools have been able to develop at Southern Illinois, Illinois State, Eastern Illinois, Western Illinois, Augustana, College of Du Page, Joliet Community College, Illinois Benedictine and North Central.
The 20 best coaches? I will address that subject in my forthcoming book on high school football in Illinois, which will be published in 2009 by University of Illinois Press.
My top 10 are Murney Lazier, Evanston; Gordie Gillespie, Joliet Catholic; Bob Shannon, East St. Louis; Tony Lawless, Fenwick; Frank Lenti, Mount Carmel; Bob Reade, Geneseo; Tom Kavanagh, St. Laurence; Fred Cameron, East St. Louis; Deek Pollard, Pittsfield; and Paul Adams, Deerfield.
The others are Dan Sharp, Joliet Catholic; John O'Boyle, Stockton; Gary Korhonen, Richards; Pat Cronin, St. Rita; Harvey Dickinson, Hinsdale; Bill Duchon, Glenbard West; Dan Darlington, Morris; Bernie O'Brien, Chicago Vocational; Tom Peeler, Peoria Richwoods; and Matt Senffner, Providence.
Most of them I have observed personally. The list isn't based solely on winning percentage, career victories or championships but also on their ability to communicate with athletes, their vision of the game, their inventiveness and the respect by which they are viewed by their peers.
Cell Phone Alerts
Comments
Craig Bundy at Bradley/Bourb has always been innovative. Bradley is always the smallest school in one of the toughest conferences in the state, consistantly makes the playoffs going against schools twice their size. Also took little Momence deep in the playoffs without a lineman over 200 pounds(15? years ago).
Also Geneva's coach, forget his name, but he has led that team from obscurity to undefeated. Is it Wiscinski???
Thanks,
Ted
Posted by: Ted | July 26, 2008 1:12 PM
I REMEMBER WHEN THE GREAT COACH FROM LEO HIGH SCHOOL,
COACH BOB FOSTER CAME OUT OF RETIREMENT TO COACH LEO
TO THE SEMI-FINALS OF THE IHSA IN 1990!
WHAT A GREAT YEAR FOR THE LIONS!
ONE OF COACH FOSTER'S PLAYERS MIKE HOLMES IS THE COACH
AT LEO, AND HE IS DOING A FINE JOB!
CARL BONNER FROM PHILLIPS WAS AN EXCELLENT COACH FOR THE WILDCATS!
TERRY LEWIS FROM HARPER HIGH SCHOOL!
REMEMBER THIS NAME RICH TARKA FROM RICH SOUTH ALWAYS
HAS HIS TEAMS PREPARED FOR BATTLE!
DO YOU KNOW THAT ALEX KARRAS NEPHEW IS ON THE STAFF AT
RICH SOUTH!
HOW ABOUT A BIG SALUTE TO ALL THE FOOTBALL COACHES WHO
WORK SO HARD TO MAKE THEIR TEAMS RESPECTFUL TO BE
WATCHED ON FRIDAY NIGHTS AND SATURDAY AFTERNOONS!
GOOD LUCK THIS SEASON, AND WELCOME BACK FROM VACATION
TAYLOR BELL!
Posted by: PHIL SMITH JR | July 27, 2008 9:37 PM