Changes ahead for Pearlman, Prospect

There were inquiring minds who wanted to know if Brent Pearlman would change his.

But Pearlman laughed and said "I'm not a big mind-change guy." As a result, a big change is on the horizon for Prospect football.

Pearlman decided during the summer that next season will be his 12th and final one in charge of a program he took statewide prominence with three Class 7A championships.

"When I came into this job I said I was going to sprint this job," Pearlman said. "There would be no jogging on the job.

"When I came to Prospect I said I'd sprint the whole way and this is my way of accomplishing that."

Prospect was rarely even in the race in the 12 years before Pearlman arrived with a grand total of 15 victories. The school had never won a playoff game.

During Pearlman's tenure the Knights have gone 95-32 with an undefeated state title in 2001, a repeat crown in 2002 and a third with a victory over perennial power Mt. Carmel in 2005.

They also made two other state semifinal trips and won five Mid-Suburban East titles.

"It's been a really good 11 years," Pearlman said. "Most of what's been really good have been the relationships. The kids who have left all communicate and still e-mail.

"I'm happy with everything and appreciative."

Pearlman said there are no conflicts with administration or dissatisfaction with the school. He said he doesn't see a major downturn of talent in the future.

And Pearlman said he doesn't have any master plan with some other job in mind - although other schools will certainly be lining up to see if he's interested.

"I'm still fairly young and have a lot of energy," said the 1985 Buffalo Grove graduate. "I could go do something the same or totally different.

"I'm not doing this with any alternative plan set up."

But planning and preparing has been a staple of Prospect's success under Pearlman.

"He works harder than a lot of people I know," said Mike Anderson, an all-area standout on Prospect's first state champion. "We would watch film right after practice of our practice.

"We knew what we were doing wrong Wednesday where most teams knew what they were doing wrong during the game at halftime."

Much of what Pearlman does has rubbed off on Anderson, who teaches and coaches football and basketball at Leyden.

"He really teaches players the game of football and what you're supposed to do," Anderson said. "It starts with his knowledge of the game of football.

"I've used so many things he taught me in my coaching today. Not only Xs and Os but game management, practice management and summer management."

Because of that, Anderson said he understood Pearlman's decision even though he was still a bit surprised.

"It's too bad," Anderson said. "I thought he'd always retire there."

But Pearlman had a different view.

"I know some guys could coach at the same place for 30 years but I don't think I'm one of them," Pearlman said. "I don't know how a lot of guys do it. How do you stay at the same place for 20 years and keep it fresh?"

Pearlman expects a fresh face to continue what's happened the last 11 years.

"The good news is we're going to be a good team again and it's not like I'm leaving the cupboard bare," Pearlman said. "There are really good coaches in the building and I think Prospect will be pretty good for awhile to come.

"Whoever takes over will have a really good group to work with."

So Pearlman is nearing the end of his sprint at Prospect. And in the way he wanted, he doesn't feel as if he's struggling to finish.

"It's not like I'm dying to leave Prospect," Pearlman said. "I just want to leave it right."

mmaciaszek@dailyherald.com