Glenbard South loses coach Starkey to New Trier

Dan Starkey was perfectly content coaching football at Glenbard South.

When an opportunity at New Trier came around, however, he felt like he had to pursue it. After a whirlwind interview process, on Tuesday Starkey was named the Trevians' new football coach.

"I've been very happy at Glenbard South," Starkey said. "I would have been very happy to come back, but from a professional standpoint this was just too good to pass up."

In six seasons at the helm for Glenbard South, Starkey compiled a 37-26 record while coaching the Raiders to four playoff appearances, including state quarterfinal berths the last two seasons, and the program's first conference title in 32 years by claiming a share of the 2009 Western Sun Conference crown.

Starkey, a former assistant at Westmont and Wheaton Warrenville South, will teach in New Trier's kinetic wellness department after serving as Glenbard South's chair of the driver's education department.

Starkey, who applied in mid-March for the New Trier position, participated in the final round of interviews last Thursday. He accepted the position on Monday and notified Glenbard South officials and his assistant coaches that same night.

On Tuesday afternoon Starkey met with Glenbard South's players and notified them of his difficult decision.

"It's exciting, but it's also bittersweet," he said. "I'm leaving some very good people, and it's hard because it's been such a whirlwind. They moved pretty quickly on this."

Starkey officially assumes the position at New Trier on June 7, but he'll begin working almost immediately on laying the groundwork for this summer.

"I'm very proud of the work we've done at Glenbard South," Starkey said. "I worked with some great coaches, great players. This kind of opportunity wouldn't have come about without them."