Maciejewski still a coach for all seasons

For a 96th straight season Lee Maciejewski will be involved in a high school sport, coaching freshman football in Wisconsin.

He'll be closer to home for seasons Nos. 97-98.

Maciejewski, who retired last year from Glenbard West after a 33-year career in education, was denied the chance to continue as Hilltoppers boys basketball and girls softball coach.

He had vowed to return, and he will -- as Hinsdale Central's sophomore boys basketball coach and as its varsity softball coach, announced Thursday in a statement faxed to the Daily Herald by Hinsdale Central athletic director Paul Moretta.

In softball Maciejewski will succeed Mike Paulo, who was 8-20 in one season on the job.

"The fact is that all it required was an inquiry by me to land two jobs that are tailor-made," said Maciejewski, a native Milwaukeean who is coaching football at Wisconsin Dells High School, near the condominium he purchased as a 35th anniversary present to his wife, Nora.

"It made me feel like people wanted me, like I still had value," he said. "It really was a boost for me after Glenbard West. I was very pleased that I didn't have to pull strings or strong-arm anyone."

A 13-year head coach in boys basketball and softball at Glenbard West and before that for 10 years at West Chicago, Maciejewski's career softball record is 472-220. His Glenbard West basketball teams were 168-179.

Capping a basketball renaissance Maciejewski directed, in 2006-07 Glenbard West went 22-8 and won its first sectional title since 1973. He was named Illinois Basketball Coaches Association District 7 coach of the year.

After two program assistants left Hinsdale Central to accept teaching positions elsewhere, Red Devils boys basketball coach Ed Lynch wondered who might answer the school Web site posting for a coaching spot without a teaching job attached.

He didn't wait long.

"Lee called up and said, 'I really like your program, I really like you as a coach, and I want to be on your staff,'æ" Lynch said.

"We're excited. I think it'll be a great addition to our staff, and he'll be a great resource. It's weird how things turn out."

It certainly is. Especially for the man who is bouncing between a condo in the Dells and a home in Glen Ellyn.

"So far it's been a wonderful experience," Maciejewski said. "Of course, going home on Sundays and cutting the grass is not fun."