Saints pick Geneva's Fields as new coach

If you're a Tri-Cities high school football fan, you might want to circle the date Friday, Aug. 28 on your calendar.

Not only will defending Class 7A state runner-up Geneva travel to Norris Stadium that evening to face St. Charles East, but longtime Vikings sophomore head coach Mike Fields will get an opportunity to match wits with varsity veteran Geneva head coach Rob Wicinski.

Fields, 43, was recently selected as the Saints' varsity head football coach for the 2009-2010 campaign. He will likely teach Physical Education next fall at St. Charles East.

He succeeds Ted Monken, who resigned earlier this year to become head coach at Matea Valley High School after guiding the Saints to state playoff berths each of the past 4 seasons.

At Geneva, Fields was a member of Wicinski's coaching staff for 10 years - the last 7 as the sophomore head coach. His teams compiled an impressive 49-13-1 mark during that time, posting a pair of undefeated seasons.

Last fall, the Vikings' sophomore squad captured the Western Sun Conference title (7-0 mark) and finished 8-1 overall - with the only blemish ironically coming at the hands of St. Charles East (16-13 loss).

"I'm sure they'll give me a hard time about that one when I get the chance to meet with the kids later this week," said Fields, a 1983 graduate of Prospect High School. "I'm thrilled about coming to St. Charles East. They have a great foundation in place that I'm looking to build upon.

"Coach Monken did a great job, and hopefully I'll be able to take it to the next level."

Wicinski has no doubt that Fields will enjoy his share of success at St. Charles East.

"I feel really good that Mike's able to get this opportunity," said Wicinski. "I know that the players will play hard for him. He's got a great rapport with players and parents, he's organized and he'll have good people around him.

"He's had opportunities to move on but it wasn't the right fit. This one was. It's a little bittersweet for me but I'm excited for him."

Saints athletic director Jerry Krieg has high praise for Fields, who taught and coached for 2 years in Ohio (Oak Hills) before his arrival as a varsity assistant at Geneva.

"If I had a son that age, I'd wish he could play for him," said Krieg. "He's a solid, solid person who comes from a football program that we feel is very similar to ours. He truly believes that it's all about the kids."

Saints junior tight end Jess Striedl can't wait for his senior season to kick off.

"A group of students met with the four finalists and we all liked him and liked what he had to say," Striedl said of his new coach. "His background is outstanding.

"He came off as a good coach and good guy who is as interested with you being a good person as much as a good football player. I'm really excited to get things moving. I feel strongly about Coach Fields coming in and doing a great job."

As for Aug. 28, Fields is looking forward to his head coaching debut against his former team.

"You might as well play the ones you loved," he said. "It should be a lot of fun."