Football: Tracking the latest high school coaching hires

Justin Kerwin will be right at home.

Kerwin, who played football at Glenbard North and was the head sophomore coach for the Panthers, was recently elevated to the head coach of the varsity team when Ryan Wilkens stepped down after 21 years at the helm.

Wilkens went 131-91 with 15 state playoff appearances. His teams finished second in the state in 2007 and 2012. Wilkens will remain part of the football program as the freshman coach.

After graduating from the University of Illinois, Kerwin joined the Marines. After finishing his service, Kerwin reached out to Wilkins and began to help with the varsity program. He became the sophomore head coach in 2017.

“It is really fantastic,” Kerwin said. “Coach Wilkens agreed to stay on and help me learn the ropes of what it means to be a varsity coach. We are keeping most of the staff together, which is fantastic.”

Kerwin is one of seven new football coaches in the Daily Herald coverage area.

Palatine hired Chad Bobbit, who has been involved in the program for 11 seasons. He spent the six as an assistant varsity coach, and will replace Corey Olson.

Jim Johanik stepped down after six seasons as head coach of Wheaton Academy. Johanik, who is a pastor at a local church and wanted to spend more time with his congregation, was 45-15 with four state playoff appearances. His 2024 team lost in the semifinals.

Justin Swider, who has been a varsity assistant for 12 seasons and the defensive coordinator, has been named the new head coach. Swider is also the varsity baseball coach and is in the building full time.

“I am really excited for the opportunity,” Swider said. “Being in the building, I am able to develop relationships with the players. We have already begun meetings daily with small groups of players.”

Grayslake Central will have a coach in the building for the first time in three years.

Brent Pitt was named the new coach in January. He replaces Brent Pearlman, who coached the past three seasons with identical 4-5 records.

Pitt, who has been on the football staff for nearly 30 years, is also the head track coach.

“It has never been the right time until now for myself and my family,” Pitt said. “But I had my family’s backing when the position opened up. I am super excited for the opportunity.”

Braden Foster was so excited to become the new head coach at Hampshire that he immediately bought a house and moved to the community. Foster will replace Shane Haak.

“I now live six minutes away,” Foster said. “This has definitely been a blessing. It has been a long time coming.”

Bill Bellecomo stepped down after 12 seasons and a record of 55-57 with four playoffs appearances at Vernon Hills. Colton Jewell was named as the new coach, becoming just the third head coach in school history.

“It was a long and detailed process,” Vernon Hills athletic director Justin Cooper said. “We had a vast array of candidates. But it became clear to us that Colton was the best person to lead us.”

Jewell, who played at Lakes, has been an assistant football coach at St. Patrick.

St. Edward made a change, not only with its head coach but also with its athletic director. Dave Archibald will take over both positions.

Archibald is the former head coach at St. Viator, where he compiled a 38-45 record over nine seasons with four playoff appearances. Last season, Archibald was the head coach at Brookfield Academy in Wisconsin.

St. Edward has not had a winning season since 2020 and has won just three games over the past four seasons.

“There is no question this football project will take time,” Archibald said. “St. Edward has faced challenges in recent years, but what drew me to this role is the positivity of the community, the commitment to growth, and the belief that this small program can become competitive again with the right foundation in place.”