What's the deal with De La Salle?

DirtySixThirty · Oct 17, 2026

This was a legit program a decade ago, but they're on a 23-game losing streak (three of those by forfeit), and among the contested games, there were ten in which they didn't score. After getting blown-out by St. Viator, they seem to be the clear cellar-dweller of the Catholic League. What went wrong here? Is it a sure thing that this program will continue?

OnVikings! · Oct 17, 2026

DirtySixThirty said:
This was a legit program a decade ago, but they're on a 23-game losing streak (three of those by forfeit), and among the contested games, there were ten in which they didn't score. After getting blown-out by St. Viator, they seem to be the clear cellar-dweller of the Catholic League. What went wrong here? Is it a sure thing that this program will continue?

A culmination of things. Changing demographics, improvement of CPS schools (both education wise and football wise), Iggy bringing football back, and poor leadership/lack of forward thinking by their admin. Catholic schools have to market themselves. Gone are the days where the majority of the neighborhood boys in the Bridgeport/Canaryville area blindly go to DLS.

LWN_Pheonix · Oct 17, 2026

So what you are saying is…

if the public’s applied themselves properly that they could compete with the no. Privates?!!!?
That’s outrageous and offensive!!!!

DirtySixThirty · Oct 17, 2026

LWN_Pheonix said:
So what you are saying is…

if the public’s applied themselves properly that they could compete with the no. Privates?!!!?
That’s outrageous and offensive!!!!

Sorry, I'm not sure I understand what you're asking.

LWN_Pheonix · Oct 17, 2026

there is a group of people that claim that the privates have an unfair advantage when it comes to football

when examples like DLS are presented they pretend that the person showing actual proof that Public schools can compete on a level playing field… they change the subject

DirtySixThirty · Oct 17, 2026

LWN_Pheonix said:
there is a group of people that claim that the privates have an unfair advantage when it comes to football

when examples like DLS are presented they pretend that the person showing actual proof that Public schools can compete on a level playing field… they change the subject

Oh, I see

mc140 · Oct 17, 2026

DLS needs to a new staff and a donor to inject money into the program. Do that and they will be fine.

crusader_of_90 · Oct 17, 2026

McCaravan · Oct 18, 2026

They had a pulse when Marty Quinn was the HC and Chris Goeffer was the OC but Marty resigned suddenly and Goeffer took over Kenwood and took their QB and others with him. The cupboard was bare. Blackmon is a good coach but a lazy recruiter who doesn't like the fundraising, fathers club meetings, alumni events and recruiting that goes along with Catholic Schools, that's why he was canned from Laurence despite having some success....or at least a big part of it.

And as stated above, demographics have changed. Bridgeport and Carnaryville aren't full of young families that have a bunch of kids and they shuffle them into DLS anymore. They have a heavy Hispanic enrollment now. They do have one of the states best soccer teams and their basketball team is staying afloat but baseball which used to be strong is now below average and football is just nonexistent almost. I thought they would have a shot vs Viator but wow, that final was embarrassing.

McCaravan · Oct 18, 2026

mc140 said:
DLS needs to a new staff and a donor to inject money into the program. Do that and they will be fine.

I thought getting Zunica as President would help but apparently it's not as quick of a fix as some thought it would be.

LWN_Pheonix · Oct 18, 2026

They have a half million dollar scoreboard…. And no one to watch it

Silver Rain · Oct 18, 2026

Academically, I believe, it is still one of the best schools in the area. Because of the discipline and high expectations at Catholic schools, CTU president Stacy Gates sent her son to DLS. She knew there would be a backlash but did what was best for her son.

sac'em · Oct 19, 2026

Problem 1: Head Coach
Problem 2: Coaching
Problem 3: Recruiting...Because of coaching
Problem 4: The coaching of the players that show up
Problem 5: MC, BR, SR. Many borderline Jr High players would rather go to the successful programs and watch vs. going somewhere to rebuild.

SiuCubFan8 · Oct 19, 2026

McCaravan said:
They had a pulse when Marty Quinn was the HC and Chris Goeffer was the OC but Marty resigned suddenly and Goeffer took over Kenwood and took their QB and others with him. The cupboard was bare. Blackmon is a good coach but a lazy recruiter who doesn't like the fundraising, fathers club meetings, alumni events and recruiting that goes along with Catholic Schools, that's why he was canned from Laurence despite having some success....or at least a big part of it.

And as stated above, demographics have changed. Bridgeport and Carnaryville aren't full of young families that have a bunch of kids and they shuffle them into DLS anymore. They have a heavy Hispanic enrollment now. They do have one of the states best soccer teams and their basketball team is staying afloat but baseball which used to be strong is now below average and football is just nonexistent almost. I thought they would have a shot vs Viator but wow, that final was embarrassing.

Ya, Viator is really bad.

OnVikings! · Oct 19, 2026

sac'em said:
Problem 1: Head Coach
Problem 2: Coaching
Problem 3: Recruiting...Because of coaching
Problem 4: The coaching of the players that show up
Problem 5: MC, BR, SR. Many borderline Jr High players would rather go to the successful programs and watch vs. going somewhere to rebuild.

Coach Blackmon was able to take StL from a below average CCL team to several state playoff berths including two trips to the semis and a trip to the quarters. Why is DLS different? What makes you so sure its all coaching and not something else?

sac'em · Oct 19, 2026

OnVikings! said:
Coach Blackmon was able to take StL from a below average CCL team to several state playoff berths including two trips to the semis and a trip to the quarters. Why is DLS different? What makes you so sure its all coaching and not something else?

Years 1 and 2 at SL were not good. Allowed them to drop classes from 7a to 5/6a. Also, isn't that when the CCL and ESCC combined and made 7 different divisions? SL was put in a lower division and was able to beat up on weaker programs. Any signature wins? 41-37 doesn't exactly cut it at the private schools. Had a lot of talent but never materialized. The 2 coaches since he was relieved of his duties are doing better than he did so I think they were correct to make the move. Also, what happened at Oak Lawn is more evidence of the level of coaching. Bad coaching can still look decent with good players. Bad coaching with bad players results in 1-8 seasons.

mc140 · Oct 19, 2026

OnVikings! said:
Coach Blackmon was able to take StL from a below average CCL team to several state playoff berths including two trips to the semis and a trip to the quarters. Why is DLS different? What makes you so sure its all coaching and not something else?

He took Oak Lawn from bad to almost unable to field a team.

OnVikings! · Oct 19, 2026

Just to clarify. I'm not saying you are wrong necessarily. I'm saying I think there are more factors than just coaching. I think DLS has not kept up with the Jones' as far as competing with other Catholic schools for enrollment, athletes, scholars, alumni involvment, etc. MC, Rita, BR, Marist, StL, etc. have all marketed themselves to stay relevant despite declining Catholic school enrollment. StL was down to about 400 boys before Dr. Martinez and the new leadership team took over. They now have 1300 students (turning away 200+ applicants the past few years), have made incredible capital improvements to the building, and are building a $12 million+ athletic facilty as we speak. My point is that it has to do with a lot more than just coaching. I also feel that Blackmon had a much harder hill to climb at OL and DLS than he did at StL.

oldfan123 · Oct 20, 2026

mc140 said:
He took Oak Lawn from bad to almost unable to field a team.

Elaborate please

AmbroseBlack · Oct 20, 2026

sac'em said:
Years 1 and 2 at SL were not good. Allowed them to drop classes from 7a to 5/6a. Also, isn't that when the CCL and ESCC combined and made 7 different divisions? SL was put in a lower division and was able to beat up on weaker programs. Any signature wins? 41-37 doesn't exactly cut it at the private schools. Had a lot of talent but never materialized. The 2 coaches since he was relieved of his duties are doing better than he did so I think they were correct to make the move. Also, what happened at Oak Lawn is more evidence of the level of coaching. Bad coaching can still look decent with good players. Bad coaching with bad players results in 1-8 seasons.

You're critical of Blackmon for qualifying twice in 5A and twice in 6A, but praise Nissen for qualifying in 4A and 5A? Also, Blackmon's and Nissen's winning percentages are virtually the same at STL. Nissen has the advantage because he finished second, but that was in 4A, which you already implied isn't impressive.

Anon463295 · Oct 22, 2026

Just my two cents...De La Salle has an excellent president who believes in the school and is committed to making us one of the best high schools in the area. He believes in his people working for him and the feeling is mutual.

As for athletics, we do have the defending state champs in boys soccer. Girls volleyball has a third-year coach who works hard and has a bright future. Girls volleyball is always decent to very good. Baseball won a regional last year and lost to Naz by a run in the sectional. Softball is developing into one of our strongest programs with an alum coach who knows her stuff and is well-liked on our campus. Girls hoops has a new coach and I look forward to seeing what she can and will do.

As for football, we have some kids with talent but we need more, especially at the line of scrimmage. I know we'll likely never be an MC or Loyola powerhouse, but I just want us to be competitive. I'd like DLS to be like Iowa in the Big Ten. Maybe not a national championship contender, but a program that wins 8 or 9 games a year, goes to a bowl game and when they lose, it's 24-17 and not 56-0.

DLS is a great school with great people. I think we can win some games, but it's going to take some time. Go Meteors!

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