Prospect aims high, gets DeBoeuf
Prospect football is ready to sky.
On Friday, the Knights announced that Dan DeBoeuf would be their new football head coach, replacing Mike Sebestyen, who resigned last fall.
DeBoeuf comes to Prospect from Johnsburg, where he was head coach the past three seasons and compiled a record of 31-5. Last year he guided the Skyhawks to a 10-1 mark and a berth in the Class 4A quarterfinals. That came on the heels of a second-place finish and a 13-1 record in 2016.
"For me to leave the program at Johnsburg it had to be an opportunity that was special," DeBoeuf said. "Prospect is a place that I can see myself spending the rest of my career. I am very happy with the decision."
So are the people at Prospect.
"We are excited about coach DeBoeuf joining the Prospect staff," said Frank Mirandola, who is the Prospect's Assistant Principal for Student Activities. "He has vast knowledge of the game of football and has been defined by positive relationships with students, staff, parents, and the community. He has demonstrated innovation on and off the field that has contributed to a championship culture."
Mirandola said DeBoeuf stood out in terms of energy and focus.
"Dan is a magnetic personality that draws people into his circle," Mirandola. "We are looking forward to having him at Prospect."
DeBoeuf will be looking to turn things around for a Prospect team that was 3-6 last year and has not qualified for the playoffs since 2012.
"The history of the program is a string of successes that they had in the 2000's," DeBoeuf said. "We want to celebrate those past successes and culture while trying to do things a little differently."
DeBoeuf attended Lemont High School and was part of team that turned the Indians into a state football power. After graduating from Carthage College, DeBoeuf was an assistant coach at Joliet West and Round Lake before taking over at Johnsburg.
"I am proud of the things we have done," DeBouef said. "We have done a great job of creating some quality young men. It was emotional (Friday) morning because I had to tell my team. But I am anxious to hit the ground running and get things going."