Cordell finds right fit at Glenbard South

For Jeremy Cordell to pursue a head coaching job, the situation had to be perfect.

Much to his surprise the situation arrived out of the blue in his own back yard in Glen Ellyn.

On Thursday Cordell, Glenbard West's defensive coordinator the last three seasons, was named Glenbard South's new head football coach. He replaces Dan Starkey, who resigned in April to become New Trier's head coach.

"It has been a goal of mine to be a head coach, but at the same time I was completely happy at Glenbard West," he said. "This opportunity really caught me off-guard. I wouldn't have applied for any jobs outside of the district because I really love the Glenbard district. It had to be the right situation, and I felt like this was it."

Cordell, 32, is a graduate of Rockford East, where he played football, basketball and baseball, and Illinois State University, where he walked on in football. After spending two years as an assistant at Rockford Guilford, Cordell arrived at Glenbard West in 2003.

In 2007 Hilltoppers coach Chad Hetlet named Cordell defensive coordinator, and last fall Glenbard West reached the Class 7A title game.

Cordell inherits a Glenbard South program that has reached the playoffs in seven of the last nine seasons, including back-to-back state quarterfinal appearances the last two years.

Cordell needs to finalize his staff and will officially meet the players Monday, but he expects to hit the ground running by starting on conditioning and getting ready for off-season work this summer.

"I want the players to embrace a strong work ethic," he said. "We're not going to cut corners. We're going to work hard to do things right on and off the field."

Needless to say, the 2010 season opener - the cross-town game between South and West - suddenly takes on additional meaning with Cordell's hiring.

"That game is always great, but I imagine this will add a little something to it," he said. "It's a little bittersweet, but everyone at West has been unbelievably supportive of me through this and I couldn't ask for a bigger supporter than Chad.

"And the South community has been unbelievable in welcoming me with open arms," Cordell said. "I think it's going to be a great fit."