IHSA Football Coaches Who Turned Around A Program in Two Years.
- Thread starter Wassup13_rivals219252
- Start date
Tyler Donnelly at Palatine. Granted it was more like 3.
Mike Donatucci at Hofmman. Took 4 years. However, he won 4 games in his 2nd year (2014). That was the most wins at Hoffman since 2000.
Mike Donatucci at Hofmman. Took 4 years. However, he won 4 games in his 2nd year (2014). That was the most wins at Hoffman since 2000.
Matt Battaglia- Fenwick
1st year was Covid year
1st full Season- State Championship
5th full Season- State Championship
Fenwick had never won a State Championship in football. Coach Battaglia has won 2 in 5 years.
1st year was Covid year
1st full Season- State Championship
5th full Season- State Championship
Fenwick had never won a State Championship in football. Coach Battaglia has won 2 in 5 years.
All.... Lincoln-Way Central. Before Coach Woodburn arrived the Knights in the previous eight seasons were 38-37. (.507) Since taking over 9-2, 9-4, and 9-2. (27-8) Ratsy
Most impressive.....CJ Cesario - Chicago Christian
Bob McMillen - St. Francis
Tim Racki - Naz
Troy McAllister - Phillips
Brian Lossi - Burlington Central
Mike Fitzgerald - York
Bob McMillen - St. Francis
Tim Racki - Naz
Troy McAllister - Phillips
Brian Lossi - Burlington Central
Mike Fitzgerald - York
Andy Bitto - Carmel Catholic.
Playoffs in 2000 (year #3) @ 6-3.
Semifinals in 2001 (year #4) @ 11-2.
Quarterfinals in 2002 (year #5 and technically 6A championship game vs. MC) @ 13-1 and Prep Bowl Champions.
6A Champions in 2003 (year #6) @ 14-0.
Went a combined 38-3 over a 3yr stretch in the old CMC and ESCC conferences, respectfully.
Playoffs in 2000 (year #3) @ 6-3.
Semifinals in 2001 (year #4) @ 11-2.
Quarterfinals in 2002 (year #5 and technically 6A championship game vs. MC) @ 13-1 and Prep Bowl Champions.
6A Champions in 2003 (year #6) @ 14-0.
Went a combined 38-3 over a 3yr stretch in the old CMC and ESCC conferences, respectfully.
Reents. Took over in 1994.
Wilmington’s record:
1993 0-9
1994 3-6 (Reents first year)
1995 5-4
1996 11-1 (hasn’t missed the playoffs since)
Wilmington’s record:
1993 0-9
1994 3-6 (Reents first year)
1995 5-4
1996 11-1 (hasn’t missed the playoffs since)
Tim Zasada at T.F. North and at Reavis. Took over a T.F. North team that had not made the playoffs in 17 years and then took them to the playoffs 4 of his 5 years as Head Coach. Followed it up with taking over a team at Reavis that was 1-17 the prior two years and took them to the playoffs 7 times in 14 years after having only been in the playoffs twice for almost 20 years.
Chad Hetlett - Glenbard West
2006 GW went 1-8
2007 GW went 6-5 in CH’s first season
2008 GW went 12-1
2006 GW went 1-8
2007 GW went 6-5 in CH’s first season
2008 GW went 12-1
This was the info I found. Assuming it's accurate:
1996-97 11 - 1 IHSA Class 3A Playoff Qualifier! Coach John Karpowicz
Undefeated Regular Season
Elite 8 Finalist
Beat Yorkville 55 - 20
Beat Maple Park (Kaneland) 24 - 6
Lost to Spring Valley (Hall) 22 - 21
Hall finished 2nd
1997-98 3 - 6 Coach John Karpowicz
1998-99 5 - 4 Coach Tim Racki
Also current TFN HC Anthony Pignaitello has done a great job over the last two seasons
I saw a McMillen mention above…the guy inherited a program that had gone 1-8 the year before he arrived and 4-4 the year before that. His first year they barely had a roster and went 1-7. His second year they went 8-3.
Since 2018 they have won 8 games only once…because every other year has been double digit win seasons. I think the program only had 3 or 4 double digit win seasons in its history before he arrived.
Now that he has the state title to match Purnell I fully believe it should be Bob McMillen Field at Kuhn Memorial Stadium.
Since 2018 they have won 8 games only once…because every other year has been double digit win seasons. I think the program only had 3 or 4 double digit win seasons in its history before he arrived.
Now that he has the state title to match Purnell I fully believe it should be Bob McMillen Field at Kuhn Memorial Stadium.
Impressive to see what they accomplished this year with all the kids they lost during the off season.
Agree. They also did gain some really good players as well….
Phillip, Williams, Liner, Marshall.
All 4 of those kids were impact guys in their title run.
Cully Welter, twice.
Colfax (Ridgeview) - went 2-7 year one then 3 playoff appearances then Colfax became a perennial playoff program in the early 00s.
Monticello - I cannot reiterate how much Monticello was struggling before Cully. It was 10 years since the Sages had consecutive playoffs appearance. He took over a team that went 0-9 the previous year to 8-3 and has not missed the playoffs since, 1 state championship in football, 2nd place finish, but his mark on Sages sports goes way beyond football.
Colfax (Ridgeview) - went 2-7 year one then 3 playoff appearances then Colfax became a perennial playoff program in the early 00s.
Monticello - I cannot reiterate how much Monticello was struggling before Cully. It was 10 years since the Sages had consecutive playoffs appearance. He took over a team that went 0-9 the previous year to 8-3 and has not missed the playoffs since, 1 state championship in football, 2nd place finish, but his mark on Sages sports goes way beyond football.
You can easily argue Camp Point Central's "turnaround" started under Bill Reed, but Brad Dixon did get things rolling early in his tenure. He went 10-1, 12-1, 11-1 in his first three years from '11-'13.
HOF'er Mike Noll (currently at Richmond Burton).
McHenry - In 85',86', and 87' they were 2-7, 1-8, and 2-7
His first year in 88' they were 7-2 and went on to dominate the fox valley for the next 16 years
Glenbrook South - In 2001', 2002, and 2003 they were 2-7, 1-8, 1-8
His first year in 2004 they went 4-5 and went on to qualify for the playoffs the next 10 straight years
Not a turnaround per se, but you could also argue that he has taken RB to a new level since his arrival. Minus the Covid year, he is 74-11 with 1 title and 3 Semifinal losses. The previous 7 years they were 52-25 with one 2nd place finish (2012).
All 3 are Public schools too
McHenry - In 85',86', and 87' they were 2-7, 1-8, and 2-7
His first year in 88' they were 7-2 and went on to dominate the fox valley for the next 16 years
Glenbrook South - In 2001', 2002, and 2003 they were 2-7, 1-8, 1-8
His first year in 2004 they went 4-5 and went on to qualify for the playoffs the next 10 straight years
Not a turnaround per se, but you could also argue that he has taken RB to a new level since his arrival. Minus the Covid year, he is 74-11 with 1 title and 3 Semifinal losses. The previous 7 years they were 52-25 with one 2nd place finish (2012).
All 3 are Public schools too
Wonder if the other southside private school regrets not hiring him over the other guy. Probably would have brought 2 titles there as well.
